The biggest win and how: Parasite

In a celluloid landscape largely dominated by comic-book adaptations, superhero franchises, war dramas, and Netflix shows full of opulence and grandeur, social satires are struggling to make their presence felt. 'Parasite', comes from the stable of director Bong Joon Ho, who has directed Korean thrillers such as The Host and Memories Of Murder. A little known fact about the film would be the distributors of the film took a huge gamble when they decided to release the film in February last year, thereby robbing it from all the awards as we know how January-February is the awards season in Hollywood. However, if anything, their gamble did pay off. Parasite, won the Palme D'Or at Cannes and became the first Korean film to win this coveted title. It won all the major critics awards and guild awards and became the second most favourite film to win the Oscars. When, the film premiered at Cannes last year, director Bong Joon Ho begged nothing to be revealed about the story or the central plot of the film beyond what was shown in the trailer. The film, however, does not depend on a twist during half-time or on a mystery unravelling itself at the climax. Yet, it has a suprising and a fulfilling climax at that. No foreign-language film has opened to such numbers as 'Parasite' has.

So what is the film about?

The whole world currently, is talking about the film 'Parasite'. Being a Korean film, people probably assumed it could be yet another horror. But no, this is a social satire from Korea, an underrated film industry that has managed to produce some really good films over the years. Bong Joon Ho, the director has worked on films such as 'The Host', 'Mother', 'Snowpiercer' and 'Okja'.

We are introduced to an impoverished Kim family of four settled in Seoul, four adults, all of whom are unemployed and living in a dire situation. They live in the basement where strangers pee on their windows and the fumigation people try to smoke them out like vermins. They are so broke that their wifi has been cut off and they are busy making plans to get internet by piggybacking others. Ki-Woo, the adult son of the family is asked to tutor a girl belonging to a rich family by his friend. Since he doesn't have a degree or required credentials, his friend suggests he fake it. "I don't think of this as forgery, I just printed out the document a bit early," he says — this dialogue being snappy enough to still be funny in subtitles. When Ki-Woo arrives at the mansion he is simply in awe of the house, which can only be termed as an architectural marvel. Mr Park is the super-rich CEO of a global tech firm, always polite, leaving his domestic arrangements to his young and beautiful wife Yeon-kyo, who is pretty gullible and naive. Soon after, the Kim family decides to get rid of the rest of the staff and lodge themselves in the Park family's suburban mansion. Kim Ki Taek, as the stern patriarch, becomes the chauffeur. Kim Ki Jeong, the cool daughter, poses as an art tutor. Eventually the Kim family begin to run the property of the Park family, without them knowing about it and do not disclose their connections to each other. The Park family being, rich are definitely gullible in spite of having all facilities at their disposal.

Review

The first half of the film is full of laughter and is downright hilarious as the Kim family manipulate the Parks in all ways possible. The Parks are so insulated by their wealth and privilege that they don't think anything could go possibly wrong. Isn't this a straight-up example of the great class divide? Something which we have grown up being accustomed to. The rich and the powerful do not believe anything is wrong with the world, because they clearly have surrounded themselves in a world that has no place for struggle. The poor on the other hand have to open every door carefully, because they know they have their every means of existence to lose. Struggle brings out the best and the worst in people. The Kim family, by their poverty, are driven to con a rich family because they think they also deserve the same life. The life of the Parks seems aspirational to them. For them only being rich can they achieve opportunity and respectability. True, this is very much an American Dream concept, but it isn't just restricted to Americans. Here is a picture that Bong Joon Ho presents which is a case of polarisation. There are two families with the same number of family members yet are leading stark opposite lives. I would say no more about the plot, except that it thickens further. This film is not your average social drama, it has a bit of a thrill to it and even the sensibilities of a dystopian flick. It is weird, potent and yet so very well-directed. The film's title is an allegory to the fact of how the poor people are living off the wealthy. It also forces us to question our economic and political sensibilities that are forcing people to live in sub-human conditions. This film is an excellent commentary on the great class divide, yet it strays away from being a Korean Downtown Abbey. Bong Joon Ho has incisively and intelligently portrayed the humiliation faced by the poor people.

Bong Joon Ho has perfectly described the microcosm of the divide of the two classes. He and his team have worked hard to show the visual contrasts between the rich and the poor. The disparities between the two are absolutely stark- the poor seem to be more aware, as compared to the rich who clearly are complacent. The humour is perfectly timed thereby justifying the film's title. It is in the second half of the film where we marvel at the ability of Bong's direction and insight. It makes you question if there are any heroes in this film at all. That is the travesty of the world we live in. There are no heroes at all. 'Parasite' is terrific and bold filmmaking if I can add that. Bong has ensured that film doesn't confine to any one particular genre. It is an immersive experience across several genres. The physical enactment of the rich and poor divide, the casting of the actors has been done to the T. The actors too, have done a great job by playing quirky characters.

Parting Shot

Once, you see the film, you will realise why it was the obvious choice for the Oscars. The movie is filled with hilarious and moments of irony. The humour is not punching down yet will make you laugh. 'Parasite' will make you question every choice you make and about the world around you. It makes you wonder if when faced with dire situations would you also take a risk like the Kim family to bring yourself up from poverty and be able to put food on the table. Does it mean the Parks are evil? The Park family are not monsters or evil, as often the rich are portrayed in most films, but rather they are themselves a victim of the world they live in. You can't really blame them for being so naive and indifferent to the fact that another world exists around them. Bong Joon Ho has beautifully presented a film that uses humour and satire to explain the rich and poor divide.