Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice Isn’t Ready for Cannes—But the Festival Would Wait

Bold Claim: Cannes would bend its rules for Park Chan-wook. Venice might get the bloodier payoff.

The emails won't stop. Where's Park Chan-wook's new film? Is it Cannes-bound? The answer, per The Korea Times: Not yet. No Other Choice—the Oldboy director's first feature since Decision to Leave—missed Cannes' submission deadline. But here's the kicker: The festival offered to extend it. That's the pull of Park's name.

Yet the film's fall release hints at a juicier truth—Venice might premiere this carnage instead. And trust me, you want Venice. Cannes loves prestige; Venice loves danger. Think Joker. Think The Shape of Water. A thriller about a man murdering his job rivals? That's pure Lido bait.

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Why the Wait? Park's Perfectionism vs. the Clock

Park's been “semi-rushing” post-production, but No Other Choice isn't just another film. It's his “lifelong passion project”—a phrase that, from Park, means sex, violence, and psychological scalpels. The plot? A desperate man kills his competition—literally. It's Parasite with a body count.

And the cast? Lee Byung-hun (reuniting with Park after Joint Security Area), Son Ye-jin, and Cha Seung-won. If that lineup doesn't scream auteur fireworks, check your pulse.

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Cannes' Loss, Venice's Gain—And Why It Matters

Park's films thrive in chaos. Oldboy shocked Cannes in 2003; The Handmaiden seduced Venice in 2016. Skipping Cannes might be a power move. Venice's autumn slot lets Park marinate the madness—and avoids Cannes' overcrowded buzz.

Deep Cut: Park's last film, Decision to Leave, was a Hitchcockian romance. No Other Choice sounds like Hitchcock with a hammer.

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Patience for the Pain

If Park's delaying, it's worth it. His films aren't just watched—they infect. So mark your calendars for fall. And if Venice calls? Bring a strong stomach.

Hot Take: No Other Choice isn't skipping Cannes. It's hunting bigger game.