I saw "Parasite" at Ritzy today. Cinema was packed so this is a popular film. Winning the Oscar of course helps. It was this or Emma. As this was on at right time we saw this. I was a bit concerned it wouldnt be my partners cup of tea. I like Korean film but know they go into dark territory. And can be violent.
Glad to say my partner gave it the thumbs up. Reason being this was a working class family who all stick together and support each other in a society which is divided between rich and poor. This over rode the dark side of the film and the violence. They stick together right to the end which my partner ( and myself) found moving.
I do like films that give the wealthy middle classes a hard time. Middle class get what they deserved in this film.
I havent read the reviews yet. Only know the house is a real house. Its a great part of the film. I saw it in screen one at Ritzy and it deserves a big screen.
This is a film about class. Looked up Bong Joon Ho. On this film he said:
Bong Joon Ho. Writer: Snowpiercer. Bong Joon-ho is a South Korean filmmaker. The recipient of three Academy Awards, his filmography is characterized by emphasis on social themes, genre-mixing, black humor, and sudden tone shifts. He first became known to audiences and achieved a cult following...
www.imdb.com
( I saw Snowpiercer last week on internet . Its a sci fi post apocalyptic film of class war on a train. Worth a look and quite a different kind of film. )
A note on Asian culture. People I have known from Korea and China get a bit upset about viewing them as the Asian other with a particular way to tell stories. Both Korea and China have gone through Modernisation project of the right and left. In case of Korea in a divided country. The south was modernised in breakneck speed under authoritarian governements. Korean friend parent were poor peasants. She lives in city like any "Westerner". They feel themselves to be as Western as Europeans. The difference being that their industrial revolution took place in a very short period of time post WW2. They find it condescending to be viewed as not on a par with the rest of the "West". Or seen as "different".
This films popularity is also that it is about class in a capitalist society which a lot of us ( ie me) can identify with.
Im trying not to give plot spoilers here but the quote from director is spot on about what this film is about.
Smell is a theme that runs through the film as a cultural class signifier of class hierarchy for example. Plays an important role in the film.
The little put downs and feeling of inferiority that punctuate this film are spot on from my experience.
There is a great scene in the middle of the film where the poor family are living it up whilst the rich middle class are away. A discussion on wealth.One says the rich mother is nice. As the mother of the poor family says if I was rich I would be nice.
I liked this film from start to finish.
I liked the ending. It was great to see the nauseating middle class garden party disrupted by the working class.
Ten out fuck the rich ten from me.
This is an angry film that portrays the simmering class resentments of capitalist society. Made in Korea but just as relevant here.
Fuck the rich
Also who are the "Parasites"? The poor family who latch themelves onto this wealthy family or the wealthy middle class family? It the wealthy imo.
