Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice is as bleak as it is hilarious
- No Other Choice, a film by Park Chan-wook, was screened at TIFF 2025.
- The film’s screening was notable for its long line outside the Criterion Closet, a van-turned-museum housing Blu-Rays of classic films.
- The author attended TIFF 2025 and observed the long line, but chose not to join it due to time constraints.
- The author felt that standing in the line would have been overwhelming, given the cramped interior of the Criterion Closet.
- The experience highlighted the popularity of Park Chan-wook’s film, with notable attendees such as Michael Cera and Hideo Kojima.
At my second day at TIFF 2025, the longest line I saw wasn’t for a movie: it was for the Criterion Closet. The space is housed in a van so that it could make it up to Toronto, and honestly, it felt a little wrong to see the outside of it after watching everyone from Michael Cera to Hideo Kojima spend time in its cramped interior digging through Blu-Rays.
The line was long enough that I didn’t even bother trying to get inside, which is probably a good thing since I’d just be overwhelmed anyways. Besides, standing in that line would cut into my movie time, which is already a precious resource given there are so many things to check out.
If t …
Read the full story at The Verge.
Q. What was the author’s experience at TIFF 2025?
A. The author saw long lines, but not for a movie – instead, it was for the Criterion Closet.
Q. How did the author feel about seeing the outside of the Criterion Closet after spending time inside?
A. The author felt a little wrong about it, as if they were missing out on something special by not being able to enter.
Q. Why didn’t the author try to get into the Criterion Closet?
A. Because the line was too long and would have cut into their movie time, which is already limited.
Q. What was the author’s concern about standing in the line for the Criterion Closet?
A. The author thought they would be overwhelmed by the experience.
Q. Why was the author’s precious resource (movie time) valuable to them?
A. Because there were many movies to check out at TIFF 2025, and the author didn’t want to waste any of their time.
Q. Who spent time in the Criterion Closet according to the author?
A. People like Michael Cera and Hideo Kojima.
Q. What was unusual about the location of the Criterion Closet?
A. It was housed in a van that had to be transported to Toronto.
Q. How did the author feel about watching people spend time in the cramped interior of the Criterion Closet?
A. The author found it hilarious, despite the bleakness of the experience.
Q. What was the author’s attitude towards the long line for the Criterion Closet?
A. The author thought it was a good thing that they didn’t have to stand in it.
Q. Why did the author choose not to read the full story at The Verge?
A. Not mentioned in the text, but implied as the author chose to share only a brief summary of their experience.