Park Chan-wook, Lee Byung-hun, and Son Ye-jin make waves with emotional drama headed for Venice red carpet.
🎬 Korean Cinema Returns to Venice Competition After 13 Years
Director Park Chan-wook is officially heading to Venice. His upcoming film Out of Necessity has been selected for the Competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, marking a major milestone in Korean cinema.
The last Korean film to compete at Venice was Kim Ki-duk's Pieta in 2012. Park's new film becomes only the 11th Korean film in history to make it into the festival's prestigious competition lineup.
🌍 A Career-Defining Moment for the Cast and Director
This marks Park's third invitation to Venice:
- Three, Monster (2004) – Midnight Express section
- Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) – Main Competition
His 2005 appearance earned him the Young Lion Award, Cinema of the Future, and Best Innovated Film Award, cementing his global reputation as a cinematic visionary.
Park shared his reaction:
"Now that the film is complete and has been invited to Venice, I'm just grateful I didn't give up on this project all those years."
Leading actor Lee Byung-hun added,
"Even I can't wait to watch it myself. It's an honor to be heading to Venice with such a powerful story."
Son Ye-jin, making her first-ever international film festival appearance, expressed her emotions:
"My very first overseas festival is Venice—it feels surreal and truly an honor."
🎭 What Is Out of Necessity About?
The film follows Man-soo (played by Lee Byung-hun), an ordinary office worker who is suddenly laid off. As he struggles to support his wife (Son Ye-jin) and two children, he sets out on a desperate journey to find new employment—leading to a tense emotional rollercoaster.
Out of Necessity will hold its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Its domestic theatrical release is set for September.
🏆 Why Venice Selection Matters
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the world and part of the Big Three, alongside Cannes and Berlin. This year's edition will run from August 27 to September 6 in Venice, Italy.
With Park Chan-wook's return and a powerhouse cast, Out of Necessity is poised to draw global attention—and potentially bring home new honors to Korean cinema.
