Bong Joon Ho’s stock skyrocketed like a space bound rocket ship following the release of his 2019 film, “Parasite.” The film won the top prize at Cannes Film Festival and an Ensemble Performance Award at the Screen Actor’s Guild. An extremely versatile director with experience in multiple genres, Bong Joon returned to his native Korean land to set the scene for this film which ran up the racks for everyone involved. Even his interpreter, Sharon Choi is getting to the bag!
Bong Joon Ho Uses Duality to Illuminate Film Reel
It is not lost upon Bong Joon Ho that his most critically acclaimed film to date took place in his old stomping grounds. That is so raw, especially given the fact that this story is lightly based upon his own experience of tutoring a rich kid.
Throughout the film, Ho sprinkles in Korean details and specificity that display nuanced intelligence and nods to local connoisseurs. Most importantly, it deals with the fact that Korea appears glamorous on the surface but the income inequality gap continues to widen.
Upon significant interest, Bong Joon Ho insists that this film does not pit the rich against the poor. Rather, it is a neutral lens interrogation of the current system. The motion picture depicts a society where there is minimal respect in a world where mutual respect should be the standard. It also highlights the fact that forms of warfare and familial separation are not abstract ideas: rather they are very real and known.
The Challenge Posed by Parasite (Struggle to Watch)
Parasite is a vertical class stratification. Meaning, it straddles the line between wealth and poverty in an excellent manner. It touches upon the societal blind spots that are often overlooked and illuminates them in such an intricate manner. The way that Bong Joon is able to zoom in so closely all the while creating such a universal experience is what makes this film extremely prestigious.
The Movie Works so Well Because it is a Typical Bong Joon Ho Underdog Tale
Bong Joon Ho loves to toe the line when it comes to social division and normally gives a slight nod to the underdogs. He is revered for his ability to tap into different genres and transcend cinematic themes effortlessly. You can tell it is a Bong Joon production because he splashes in signature slo-mo scenes that exhibit extreme mayhem in nearly every piece he concocts.
BJH remains hungry and insists that level-headed ambivalence is key. He remains humble by living in a 9th floor apartment and carefully crafting the elements of what is to come. His duality of being and artistic integrity play a pivotal role within every aspect of his output. Remaining balanced, straddling the lines and always asking questions to delve deeper serve him so well.
What makes him a prestige filmmaker might you ask? His exclusive aura. His productions weigh heavily on the minds of consumers due to their abilities to tap deep into viewers’ psyches. Also, they are so well-packaged and utilize nuances such as cultural capital, aesthetic and perception. There is duality to every process and the way that this man is able to balance and put out a polished final product is simply magnificent. Many would liken him to a Korean mineral which represents an, “opportune metaphorical gift.” (Parasite)
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