Movie Review: Parasite

By Ho Mach
 
Foreign movies have been a sensitive subject for film critics in today’s times though not for their confusing scenes or poor translation, but having complex meanings that are difficult to describe. Many times we tend to have preconceived notions about foreign films because of their lack of mainstream appeal. We worry about subtitles because they can become tedious and tiring.  We fret about not understanding the context, setting, the message or film itself. Yet the genre has been an essential part of the movie industry and has made a spot for itself. 

One movie that made its mark on the ever evolving industry was a South Korean film called Parasite. Directed and screen written by Bong Joon Ho, it was praised for intriguing, complex scenes and the relationship between two different socioeconomic classes. The story follows a poverty stricken family who are expert con-artists that takes advantage of a gullible, wealthy family. It’s true that the impoverished family are leeching on the wealthy family, hence the movie’s name Parasite but the film is more than a brutal satire. The movie shows how difficult reality can be, but portrayed in a dark and honest way. It is meant to show the real world and the truth of class-war violence.
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In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Bong Joon Ho said, “I think this is what really differentiates this film from other films that deal with rich and poor: You rarely see the poor fighting one another. It’s something that sad, but also something funny and foolish at the same time.” What Bong wanted his audience to see was that there is a gap between the rich and the poor, and how there are many factors in each family lives, rich or poor. Overall, it is a very well developed and thought-out film.