Overview

• The feature bowed in Venice competition on Friday, marking Park’s first return to the Lido since 2005 and a Golden Lion bid.
• Drawn from Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, the story follows a longtime paper worker who takes extreme steps after losing his job.
• Park told reporters the project waited until he secured a budget he felt was adequate, crediting an A-list cast and CJ ENM’s financing for making it possible.
• Addressing recent coverage, he denied violating Writers Guild rules and said he chose not to appeal the guild’s expulsion to keep focus on the film.
• Neon holds U.S. and Canada rights, Mubi controls multiple regions, and the film is set to open the Busan International Film Festival as early reviews note striking visuals and socioeconomic themes.