Entertainment
Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice Premieres at Venice Film Festival
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook has finally unveiled his long-anticipated project ‘No Other Choice’ at the Venice International Film Festival. The movie, which Park has been developing for nearly 20 years, had its world premiere on August 29 in the festival’s main competition. This instantly became one of the most talked-about screenings of the year.
The film, based on Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, tells the story of You Man-su, played by Lee Byung-hun, a loyal paper factory worker who is suddenly laid off after 25 years on the job. Desperate to provide for his family, he takes a chilling turn, hunting down and eliminating those he sees as his competition for scarce new jobs.
Audiences at Venice were gripped from start to finish. Even though the screening started late, the nearly two-and-a-half-hour film received a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Critics praised both the boldness of Park’s direction and the intensity of the performances. This also feature Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Cha Seung-won, and others.
For South Korea, the moment carried extra weight. No Other Choice is the first Korean film in 13 years to compete in Venice’s top category. Park now joins a crowded field that includes heavyweight contenders from Guillermo del Toro, Yorgos Lanthimos, Kathryn Bigelow, and Noah Baumbach, all vying for this year’s Golden Lion.
Speaking about the film, Park admitted that what started as a far-off idea two decades ago now feels urgent. With AI reshaping industries and job insecurity becoming a reality for millions, he felt the story’s themes were timelier than ever.
After Venice, the film will head home to South Korea, opening the Busan International Film Festival in mid-September before arriving in local theaters on September 24.o
The long-awaited trial in the murder case of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur has reached a major development, with Duane “Keffe D” Davis sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on October 13, 2026.
Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in August 2026 for his role in orchestrating the 1996 killing. Tupac was shot in a drive-by attack in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, and died six days later.
During the sentencing, the judge addressed Davis, rejecting his claims that he had changed his life and moved on from his past. “Mr. Davis, for three years, I’ve heard you say some variation of the same thing to law enforcement, [in interviews], in your book, and it’s something like, ‘Yeah, I was involved in this, but I’m different. I’ve moved on. I got out of Compton. I’m a grandfather now.’ I’m here to tell you that’s not how this works,” the judge said.
She continued “You don’t get to take a man from his family. You don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him, and just walk away from it. Especially when that man is Tupac Shakur.
“The world never forgot about him and his death, and neither did Las Vegas. It took us 30 years, but at this time, you are going to face justice for what you did on Sept. 7, 1996.”
Nollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on how his perception of YouTube movies has changed over the years. The actor recalled that there was a time when he looked down on movies released on YouTube.
However, he now appreciates the opportunities they have provided for his career and joked that he might have struggled financially if he had continued to dismiss them.
Sharing his thoughts in a post on X, Egbuson wrote “Can’t believe I was looking down on YouTube movies at some point. Hunger go don kpai me by now.”
Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has advised young people who are still living with their parents not to rush into moving out because of peer pressure.
The singer encouraged young people to focus on their personal circumstances rather than compare their lives with those of others. He noted that there is no need to leave their parents’ homes simply because they want to feel independent.
Sharing his advice, Dakolo said “No hurry, leave your papa house because of peer pressure. Forget all that, ‘I don’t have my freedom here.’”
Judge Tells Duane Davis He Must Face Justice for Tupac’s Murder
Timini Egbuson Reflects on Embracing YouTube Movies in Nollywood
