Park Chan-wook's latest film wins award at Toronto film fest

Director Park Chan-wook delivers his acceptance speech via Zoom at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sunday. AP-YonhapSEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - Director Park Chan-wook's latest film "No Other Choice" received an award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which wrapped up on Sunday.

The thriller, an adaptation of American writer Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax," won the inaugural International People's Choice Award, a prize given to the most popular international film at the festival as voted by audiences.

The feat came after the film's lead actor Lee Byung-hun was honored with the Tribute Award last week, which is presented to recognize individuals with "distinguished achievements in filmmaking."

The top prize, the People's Choice Award, at this year's TIFF, which does not have a jury-led competition section and is also decided by audiences' votes, went to "Hamnet" by Chinese-born director Chloé Zhao.

Park's 12th feature, which revolves around a man who believes he has achieved everything in life until he is suddenly laid off and must find a new job to support his family, is set for release here next week. It will also serve as the curtain-raiser for this year's Busan International Film Festival in the southern port city, which opens later this week and runs until Sept. 26.
Kim Hee-su Reporter khs@ajupress.com