By Sophia Gabriele, yr 10
Parasite is a Korean drama film, written and directed by Bong Joon-Ho, which explores the issues of social class and wealth disparity. The film is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, and was nominated for six Oscars of which it won four. Parasite is also the first foreign-language film to ever win the Oscar for “Best Picture” in the Academy Awards 92-year history, as well as the first Korean film to win the “Palme d’Or” at the Cannes Film Festival.
Parasite tells the story of a poor family, the Kim family, living in South Korea. The plot begins as the son Ki-Woo is recommended by his friend who goes to university, to go and work as a tutor for the wealthy Park family. He then devises a plan for his family to provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously hire his entire family. Through manipulation, the Kims manage to infiltrate the Park household, but things take a nasty turn when they make a startling discovery about something hidden beneath the house.
Parasite is not a sci-fi film about a literal parasite, but a metaphor for how the family embeds themselves into the wealthy Park’s lives like a parasite. Bong Joon-Ho makes extensive use of metaphors to expound upon societal and economic inequalities. The rich family can also be seen as the “parasite” in terms of labor; they leach off of the poor family’s labor and can’t even perform simple tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or even driving themselves.
The film has, however, prompted some controversial comments on the world stage. President Trump, for example, mocked the film and its Academy Awards during a campaign rally; “What the hell was that about?… We’ve got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of that, they give them best movie of the year. Was it good? I don’t know.” A Japan-based newspaper that is pro-North Korea, and the North Korean propaganda website itself, DPRK Today, both proclaimed that the film clearly depicts the corruption and unscrupulous nature of capitalism.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed Parasite and its use of symbolism throughout the film. I think it is a film that everyone needs to see and I highly recommend it.
