Last month in the 72nd Cannes Film Festival that took place in France, there were hundreds of applauders extolling Bong Joon ho movie director’s new black comedy film, “Parasite”. On that day, Bong received the Palme d’Or prize, entering his name as the first Korean movie director to be granted the honor of winning the top award in the Cannes Film Festival.
Bong is often recognized as a director who hints on the satirical aspects of the society and leaves the audience with a chance of bitter reflection on the idea he tries to deliver throughout the movie. He is known to often shed light on rather heavy subjects, and approach them in his own unique tone and artistic style. Bong had previously made his fame by winning the favor of the global audience through films “Okja” and “Snowpiercer”. Following his past success, this year, he was granted a worldwide reputation with his new movie “Parasite” that deals with the topic of social hierarchies based on wealth. In the movie, Bong director draws the contrast between the ruling and the subjugated class of the society and simultaneously depicts the complicated relationship between the two classes.
After its release date, the movie immediately hit success both locally and globally, scoring 400 million views in 4 days in Korea. Although the movie does not provide a straightforward message, it leaves the interpretation solely to the audience by incorporating meaningful scenes and details that would amplify the understanding of the audience and allow them to see what the movie intended to show. According to the comments online, the movie “Parasite” has indirectly touched upon a variety of topics, how virtue and vice depends on an individual’s wealth, how the poor are vulnerable to inferiority and immorality, how the weak inevitably relies on the rich like parasites, and how an individual’s beginnings cannot be changed by appearance.