Spotted: Bong Joon Ho taking the stage at the 2020 Golden Globes to accept his Award for Best Director and then simultaneously roasted the entire American Film Body in the seats with one sentence.
"Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” - Bong Joon Ho, Director of Parasite.
And he is right. Speaking as a completely objective, third-party outsider I was one of the few that he shaded. I have seen a total of 2 foreign films in my entire life and they have both occurred in the past year with “Roma” (2018) and now “Parasite” (2019).
I haven’t been in the dark, I have heard the rave reviews and box-offices scores surrounding the foreign film that is predicted to win not only Best International Film at the Oscars (previously Foreign Film) but possibly even Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. I just wasn’t interested. How could a film set in South Korea impact me? How could I relate?
I was wrong, obviously. Being an avid film watcher, I decided to put myself outside my comfort zone and see the movie that everyone has been talking about for the past 5 months. And it was worth it. It was quite literally one of the best experiences I’ve had at the movie theatre this year and just possibly has become my favorite film released in 2019.
Without giving too much away, the movie title can summarize most of the stories plot, not all, but most.
Parasite: “an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense.”
Debuting at the Canne Film Festival in 2019, it won the most prestigious prize, Palme d'Or Award, "Golden Palm" Award. "Parasite" examines the lives of a working-class family, The Kim Family, living in South Korea in the basement on an old building that is falling apart. The family is scraping by, enlisting their children into every endeavor of work to accumulate money.
After a chance encounter with an old friend, the son, Kim Ki-woo, is referred to work at the Park Household as an English Tutor to their eldest child. And so it begins, as he sees the house, the family and their affluent lifestyle, it becomes apparent that he not only wants it for himself, but sees that his family deserves it as well. The Kim Family begins climbing into the lives of the Park family, feeding off their fortunes and success until they’re efforts are thwarted.
What really makes “Parasite” shine is the reflection the social class systems in South Korea (and anywhere in the world) with large juxtaposition comparing the two families against each other in a vivid, colorful way. It’s a social satire that shows the lengths people will go to, to have money, reach a higher class and climb the ladder. In a word – it shows you what the depths of greed can look like and the dark web of lies that we weave to achieve our vision of success, no matter the cost.
Satirical, comical, thrilling, dark, twisted, chilling – “Parasite” has everything that you want in a film. You are rooting for the Kim Family, sympathizing with the Park Family and horrified as the families lives intertwine to a deadly end. It forces us to look at ourselves
Best Quote:
"They are rich, but nice."
"They are nice because they are rich."
So where does it fit into the Race?
I wish it fit everywhere, it is a film that we need right now and we are facing the sad truth that it might only collect in Best International Feature Film, where it is pretty much a for sure Award. But, it can fit in Best Director (90% Chance), Best Original Screenplay (80% Chance) and Best Picture (50% Chance).
Right now, it seems apparent that “1917” will end up claiming the most sought after Oscar Award – Best Picture. After coming off of its most recent win at the Director’s Guild Awards (DGA’s) this past weekend, it seems like a for sure. Which, shame on us. How many times have we seen a war film like this? I can’t even keep track. Yes, “1917” is shot beautifully and different, I agree. Let’s give it Best Cinematography. I don’t think we need a “1917” Best Picture Award.
What would be awesome, would be a “Parasite” Best Picture Award.
If you love films, do yourself a favor and check it out, you won’t regret it.
EL DE Score: 9.5/10
And that’s the sitch.
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