Ben Luu

Have you ever scrolled past short videos that caution you about the evils of doomscrolling and brainrot? The dangers of modern day capitalism and consumerism? The over-consumptive nature of our uninspired population? Despite the artificial nature of these videos, they do contain a kernel of truth. You almost want to believe these people because their simple observations about our degraded modern-day society are so true and self-evident.

There’s something intangible about someone’s lived stories. Whether it’s a grandma who lived through the Great Depression showing us her recipes or a barrister answering a common question, their stories are compelling because we know that, no matter how deeply we educate ourselves on the topic, nothing compares to lived experience. That intangibility is precisely what makes Park Chan-wook’s (“Decision to Leave”) latest film, “No Other Choice,” so resonant and heartfelt.

Pablo Picasso once said, “It took me four years to paint like Rafael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” Whitney Houston once sang, “I believe the children are our future / Teach them well and let them lead the way.” Even the wry Mark Twain had something nice to say about children: “The most interesting information comes from children, for they tell all they know and then stop.” Among other famous quotes, it’s clear that we often associate children with our greatest virtues: hope,...