"I wondered if I read it right. I asked the director, 'Is this a joke?' He said, 'The funnier, the better.' That's when I knew I got it right. I thought it would be fun to work on."
Actor Lee Byung-hun reminisced about his first encounter with director Park Chan-wook's new film 'No Other Choice.' Based on American writer Donald E. Westlake's 'The Ax,' 'No Other Choice' follows the story of Mansu (played by Lee Byung-hun), who struggles to find a new job after being abruptly laid off from a paper company where he worked for 25 years. Lee's initial skepticism stemmed from Park's reputation for creating works with intense and provocative themes. However, 'No Other Choice' lowers the level of brutality and humorously portrays the protagonist's desperate situation, capturing the essence of a black comedy.
This isn't the first collaboration between Lee and Park. Their relationship began 25 years ago with 'Joint Security Area.' Reflecting on the current project, Lee said, "It was enjoyable. We came up with new ideas."
"The difference from our previous work on 'Joint Security Area' is that back then, we would gather and battle out ideas. It was more about quantity than quality. Out of ten ideas, maybe one would be used. This time, every suggestion was met with 'That sounds fun,' and it was all incorporated. Later, I got a bit scared, wondering if it was a way to shift responsibility. Haha. Towards the end, I barely suggested any ideas."
Once a teen star, Lee faced setbacks with films like 'The Harmonium in My Memory' and 'Runaway,' earning the nickname 'soup actor' for his success in dramas but not in films. At the recent Busan International Film Festival, Lee recalled, "A failed director and a failed actor didn't know what would happen, but we decided to give it a go with 'Joint Security Area.'" At that time, both Lee and Park were experiencing consecutive failures. However, time has passed, and they have become a globally recognized director and actor. Lee reflected on his speech at the LA LACMA awards, where he presented an award to Park, saying, "I repeated what I said about being a 'failed director and actor.'"
"I talked about my first meeting with Park Chan-wook. He was preparing his second script after a flop, and I was at the technical screening of my third failed film. An assistant director told me someone was looking for me, and there was someone with a ponytail. His fashion was unique, and I found him unappealing. Haha. He wanted to give me a script, and I took it, thinking I wouldn't do it. But after more failures, he gave me another script, and it was interesting. We both thought we had nothing more to lose, and that was 'Joint Security Area.' I was nervous giving that speech, but the audience gave a standing ovation. It was a proud and exciting moment. After the speech, I hugged Park and presented him with the award. It's an unforgettable history between us."
Reuniting for 'No Other Choice,' the film unfolds without initially revealing Mansu's backstory, allowing the audience to infer his story through his dialogues. Lee explained, "Each line adds layers to Mansu's character. The film shows his love for family, his 25 years of dedication, and his naivety through his words, revealing his past experiences and life." He added, "Lines about working at a paper factory right after high school and graduating from a broadcasting university while working helped me build the character. It aided in making the character more three-dimensional."
Mansu's choice to 'eliminate' competitors for reemployment reflects his loss of moral judgment. Lee confessed, "As someone who had to portray Mansu, I couldn't help but root for him from start to finish. Because I am Mansu." He continued, "I pushed the director to make the 'first decision' more convincing. We needed to portray the desperate and miserable situations leading to such a decision."
In the film, Mansu is someone who loves his job dearly. Lee shared, "I think I'm similar to Mansu. Acting is all I know how to do. I didn't major in theater or film in college, and I haven't done anything but act. I'm not into business either." He added, "If I suddenly couldn't do my job, I think I'd be as lost as Mansu."
Despite 35 years of acting, Lee experienced several 'firsts' with this project. "It's my first time entering a film in the Venice Film Festival competition, and I received a lifetime achievement award at the Toronto Film Festival for the first time, possibly because of this film. There are many new experiences ahead. Although it's not confirmed, if the film becomes an Oscar contender, I'll be busy with that for the next year. That would be another first for me. Also, it's the first time in a Park Chan-wook film where the camera follows me over 90% of the time, focusing on my emotions from start to finish. It might become the work I'm most proud of in my filmography, and that thought holds great significance for me."
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr