Acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook's highly anticipated new black comedy "No Other Choice" has been selected to open the 30th Busan International Film Festival, which will take place on September 17. Festival organizers made the announcement on Monday, revealing that the Venice-bound film will kick off South Korea's most prestigious film event.

The movie, which stars Lee Byung-hun and is produced by CJ ENM, represents Park's return to feature filmmaking after a three-year hiatus following his previous work "Decision to Leave." The film is an adaptation of Donald Westlake's 1996 novel "The Ax" and tells the dark story of a middle-aged man who loses his job and becomes so desperate to find new employment that he begins systematically eliminating other job candidates who compete with him for positions. His extreme actions are driven by his urgent need to secure work in order to provide financial support for his family.

The project holds special significance for Park Chan-wook, as he reportedly spent 17 years developing the screenplay. During a previous appearance at the Busan International Film Festival in 2019, Park described "No Other Choice" as a long-awaited passion project that he had been eager to bring to the screen. The film completed its production phase in January of this year.

Before its Korean premiere in Busan, "No Other Choice" is scheduled to make its world premiere later this month at the Venice International Film Festival, where it will compete for the prestigious Golden Lion award. This selection is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time a Korean film has been included in Venice's main competition section since Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" won the top prize in 2012.

Following its Korean premiere at the Busan festival, the film is set for domestic theatrical release through CJ ENM later in September.

In addition to starring in the opening film, Lee Byung-hun will serve as the host for the festival's opening ceremony. This appointment is historic, as Lee becomes the first male actor to host the ceremony solo. The actor has maintained a strong connection with the Busan International Film Festival over the years, with his relationship with the event dating back to his first appearance in 2003.

BIFF director Jung Hanseok expressed considerable enthusiasm about having Park's new film serve as the festival opener. In an official statement, Jung said, "I sincerely hope the inclusion of Park's new film will spark renewed global interest in Korean cinema."

This year's festival is particularly significant as it marks a historic transformation for the event. After operating for decades as a non-competitive festival, BIFF is launching its first official competition section. Fourteen Asian films will compete across five award categories, representing a major shift in the festival's structure and approach.

The programming for this year's festival has also expanded considerably. Organizers have announced that approximately 240 films will be screened, representing an increase from last year's 224 entries. This expansion reflects the organizers' efforts to restore the festival to its pre-pandemic scale and prominence.

The 30th Busan International Film Festival will run from September 17 through September 26, with screenings taking place at various venues throughout the city of Busan. The Busan Cinema Center will serve as the festival's main hub and primary location for major events and premieres.