Park Chan-cult wook’s action classic “Oldboy” has been re-released theatrically in the United States by Neon, ahead of the film’s 20th anniversary next year.
“Oldboy” is Chan-renowned wook’s harsh and stylized action and revenge drama about a man who is finally liberated 15 years after being kidnapped and imprisoned, only to find out he has five days to hunt his captor. The film is well known for its brutal combat scene in a short corridor in which the protagonist fights off a crowded room full of thugs with a hammer and a knife in his back, as well as its surprising surprise finale.
Although no definite release date for “Oldboy” has been announced, the picture has been repaired and remastered in 4K HDR under the supervision of Chan-wook.
The film was first released in 2003 and won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival under the direction of jury president Quentin Tarantino. “Oldboy” is directed by Chan-wook and stars Choi Min-Sik, Yoo Ji-Tae, and Kang Hye-Jung. It was written by Chan-wook, Hwang Jo-Yun, and Lim Joon-Hyung. The film was again remade in English in 2013, directed by Spike Lee.
“Oldboy” is the third installment of Park’s Vengeance Trilogy, which also includes “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” (2002) and “Lady Vengeance” (2004). (2005).
NEON’s Jeff Deutchman arranged the contract with Celsius’s Thierry Wase-Bailey.
Park Chan-latest wook’s film, “Decision to Leave,” premiered at Cannes and will be shown at TIFF next month. It has also been designated as South Korea’s official submission for the 2023 Oscar race. The film was acquired by MUBI and will be released later this year.
