Park Chan-wook's 'Unavoidable' Misses Out on Venice Award, Eyes Oscars

Park Chan-wook's latest film, 'Unavoidable,' has concluded its run at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival without securing an award in the main competition section. The film, despite receiving positive reviews from international media after its premiere, did not make it onto the list of winners announced at the closing ceremony on September 6th.

The Golden Lion, the festival's top prize, was awarded to Jim Jarmusch's 'Father Mother Sister Brother.' 'Unavoidable' had generated significant anticipation, marking the first Korean film in 13 years to compete in Venice since Kim Ki-duk's 'Pieta.'

Despite the lack of a formal award, director Park Chan-wook reportedly expressed his satisfaction, telling local reporters, "The audience's reaction has been so good, better than any of my previous films, so I already feel like I've received a great award." The film has also been selected as South Korea's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, aiming for an Oscar win following the success of 'Parasite.'

'Unavoidable' tells the story of 'Man-su' (played by Lee Byung-hun), a corporate employee whose life of satisfaction is upended by an unexpected layoff. The film follows his struggle to protect his family and home while seeking re-employment. It is scheduled for release on the 24th.

Director Park Chan-wook is a globally acclaimed South Korean filmmaker renowned for his distinctive visual style and unique narrative approach. His works have garnered numerous accolades at prestigious international film festivals, including Cannes and Berlin, solidifying his status as a master director. Films such as 'The Handmaiden,' 'Oldboy,' and 'Decision to Leave' showcase his versatility across genres and leave a lasting impact on audiences.