Parasite

The reflection I am doing is on the popular and critically acclaimed international film Parasite, directed by Bon Joon-Ho.

Parasite was certainly one of the most interesting and visually stunning films I have ever watched. In my opinion, it was definitely deserving of the Academy Award for best picture in 2019. The fast-paced film followed the lives of the wealthy Park family and the nearly destitute Kim family. The contrast between these two clans was obvious from the start and their differences in class eventually led to both of their downfalls. At the start of the movie, the Kim family is entirely unemployed whereas the Park family is seeking employees to help run their household. Fortunately, the son Ki-woo is offered a tutoring position within the household and so the plan begins to take root. Eventually, through a few crafty placed peaches and other carefully orchestrated “chance” encounters, the entire Kim family is hired by the Parks under false pretenses. What follows is both a hilarious and sinister coincidence which reveals that the husband of the former housekeeper has been living in the secret bunker below the house.

The evolution of the film is riddled with many twists, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end. I have watched many foreign films for some of my classes and sometimes it proves difficult to keep up with the subtitles. While watching Parasite, this was not the case. Another thing that stuck out to me was the difference in how the poorer populations in Korean are treated than in America. In one particular scene, the Kim’s’ house and all their possessions are completely ruined due to flooding from a rainstorm. They are met with no help from any neighbors or local law enforcement until the next day. The Kim family was also not eligible for any help from the government even though their entire family was unable to find work.

What I enjoyed most about the film was how easily it seemed to transcend racial, cultural, and international barriers. Parasite was the first foreign film to win best picture at the Oscars and I think this win alone is a strong indicator of just how powerful its message is. It is time international films receive more recognition from the film community and Parasite is leading the way.

It had a strong impact on my individual perspective concerning the privileges that my family and I enjoy, especially during this unprecedented time with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is easy to let one’s mental health crumble during this time of isolation and quarantine. I am grateful that this film was able to remind me of normal life and how fortunate I am to be living the life that I do. The Kim family’s entire life is changed in an instant when their home is ruined by a flood and although our current situation is much different, it is still a reminder of how all our lives were altered within such a short amount of time. Parasite was a comedic, thrilling relief from the repetitiveness and monotony of my current life during this crisis.