No Other Choice launches limited U.S. run

Director Park Chan-wook’s film No Other Choice opened in select U.S. theaters on Christmas Day, beginning its American run in five cities. / Courtesy of CJ ENM

No Other Choice, the latest film by director Park Chan-wook, opened in select U.S. theaters on Christmas Day, marking the start of its American awards-season campaign ahead of next year’s Golden Globes and Academy Awards.

U.S. distributor NEON announced on Dec. 25 that the film is now playing in a limited release across five cities — Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco — with a nationwide expansion planned for January.

Industry outlet Deadline listed No Other Choice among the low-budget and independent films debuting in U.S. theaters over the Christmas holiday. The film follows Mansu, played by Lee Byung-hun, a man who is abruptly laid off after 25 years at his company and desperately searches for a new job.

After premiering at the Venice International Film Festival, the film went on to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sitges Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and Best Director, respectively. Deadline also noted that the film holds a 99% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been nominated for Golden Globe awards including Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor for Lee.

Earlier this month, No Other Choice was named among the 15 shortlisted contenders for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Industry observers say the limited U.S. release is a strategic move to build awareness among American audiences and voters ahead of the Golden Globes in January and the Oscars in March.

The Christmas opening positions Park’s darkly comic drama as a late but focused entrant into the U.S. awards race, with expectations that broader exposure in January could further boost its prospects.

ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"