Neon Partners with Park Chan-wook for the Dark Comedy Thriller "No Other Choice"
Neon has joined forces once again with acclaimed Korean director Park Chan-wook and the renowned production studio CJ ENM to acquire the North American rights to the gripping dark comedy thriller, "No Other Choice." Starring Korean cinema icons Lee Byung-hun and Son Yejin, this film delves into the life of Man-soo (played by Lee), a dedicated employee who faces an unexpected layoff from the paper company he devoted years to. As Man-soo’s desperation mounts in his search for new employment, he resorts to extreme measures against his job competitors.
Son Yejin portrays Mi-ri, Man-soo’s compassionate wife, adding depth to this narrative that reflects the broader economic and political challenges facing South Korea today. "No Other Choice" marks Park Chan-wook’s twelfth feature film and is an adaptation of Donald Westlake’s 1996 novel, "The Ax." This gripping story was previously adapted into the French film "Le Couperet" (2005) by director Costa Gavras.
The ensemble cast features notable talents such as Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, and Yoo Yeon-seok, contributing to the film’s rich storytelling. Known for his critically acclaimed works like "Decision to Leave" and "The Handmaiden," Chan-wook continues to push boundaries in Korean cinema. The production is backed by CJ ENM, a powerhouse in the industry that previously collaborated with Neon on the Oscar-winning film "Parasite." Additionally, Neon and Chan-wook worked together on the 2023 re-release of the cult classic "Oldboy" to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Currently in post-production, "No Other Choice" is poised for an awards season campaign from Neon, hoping to replicate the success of "Parasite." The film’s production credits include Chan-wook, Back Jisun, Michèle Ray Gavras, and Alexandre Gavras, with Miky Lee serving as executive producer. The North American distribution deal was expertly negotiated by Jason Wald for Neon and Namyoung Kim for CJ ENM.
Stay tuned for more updates on "No Other Choice," as it promises to be a thrilling addition to the world of Korean cinema!
