After two decades, the visionary director Park Chan-wook is back at the Venice Film Festival with his latest thriller, ‘No Other Choice.’ Known for his iconic films like ‘Old Boy,’ his new work promises to delve into the darker side of humanity. What cinematic masterpieces do you think he’ll deliver next?

Twenty years have passed since the acclaimed South Korean director Park Chan-wook last graced the prestigious Venice Film Festival, yet his creative genius has remained relentlessly active throughout this period. A master of intricate narratives and dark humor, Park makes his highly anticipated return to the Lido, bringing with him a compelling new Film Thriller that promises to captivate audiences and critics alike, marking a significant moment for Korean Cinema on the global stage.

His latest cinematic endeavor, titled “No Other Choice Film,” is set to premiere on Friday night, entering the fiercely competitive lineup for Venice’s top honor, the Golden Lion Award. The film delves into the psyche of a veteran paper company employee who, after being laid off, resorts to desperate measures, plotting to eliminate potential rivals for a new job. This premise alone sets the stage for the kind of dark, morally ambiguous storytelling that Park Chan-wook has become synonymous with.

Remarkably, the journey to bring “No Other Choice Film” to the screen has spanned two decades, a testament to Park’s perseverance and dedication to his vision. During this extensive development period, Park Chan-wook revealed he frequently shared the film’s concept, finding a universal resonance in its themes. He noted that regardless of country or culture, people consistently found the story timely, highlighting its profound relevance to contemporary anxieties about employment and survival.

Park’s previous visit to the Venice Film Festival in 2005 saw him present “Lady Vengeance,” the concluding chapter of his renowned “Vengeance Trilogy.” This series, celebrated for its unflinching exploration of the human experience’s darker recesses, earned him two awards and solidified his reputation for crafting thought-provoking, visually striking cinema. His return after such a long hiatus generates immense excitement among film enthusiasts and industry professionals.

The director’s filmography consistently showcases a strong appetite for vengeance and forgiveness, often presenting violent or erotic narratives that challenge conventional sensibilities. Three years ago, Park Chan-wook earned the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival for “Decision to Leave,” a romantic thriller that further underscored his versatile storytelling abilities and his capacity to blend genres seamlessly while maintaining a distinctive authorial voice.

Indeed, his influential work is often credited with paving the way for the international success of other South Korean masterpieces, such as Bong Joon Ho’s black comedy “Parasite.” “Parasite” famously clinched the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2019 and, a year later, made history by becoming the first non-English language feature to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, demonstrating the global impact of the unique narrative styles emerging from Korean Cinema.

Reflecting on his approach, Park Chan-wook articulated his philosophy at the Busan International Film Festival in 2021, stating, “Only by recognising a person’s darker desires and properly examining their existence will you know what human beings are made of.” This quote encapsulates the essence of his artistic exploration, consistently delving into complex moral landscapes and the depths of human nature through his Film Thriller and other genre works.

Beyond his acclaimed feature films, Park Chan-wook has also made significant contributions to television. His notable small-screen projects include the English-language mini-series “The Little Drummer Girl,” an adaptation of John Le Carré’s espionage novel, and last year’s HBO hit series “The Sympathizer,” a critically praised drama about a North Vietnamese spy. These ventures further highlight his diverse talents and his ability to adapt his unique storytelling prowess across different mediums.