Parasite: Tale of Class, Inequality, Survival, and the Human Condition

Oscar-winning masterpiece exploring class inequality, family dynamics, and survival with dark humour and thrilling twists

Dive into Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite (2019). This Oscar-winning masterpiece explores class inequality, family dynamics, and survival. Experience these themes with dark humour and thrilling twists. 

Introduction:

In 2019, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite made history as the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The South Korean film is a genre-defying masterpiece. It offers a razor-sharp critique of class inequality. It also keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its dark humour and thrilling twists. With its universal themes and masterful execution, Parasite is a landmark in modern cinema. It is the perfect feature for celebrating the Oscars in July.

Plot Overview:

The story centres on the Kim family, who live in a semi-basement apartment, struggling to make ends meet. Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik), the son, gets a chance to tutor the wealthy Park family’s daughter. He seizes the opportunity. Ki-woo forges a pathway for his entire family to infiltrate the Park household under false pretenses. 

The Kims pose as unrelated professionals—a driver, a housekeeper, an art therapist—replacing the Parks’ existing staff. Initially, their scheme seems to work. However, a shocking discovery in the Parks’ basement unravels their plans. It escalates into chaos. The film’s ending delivers a haunting reflection on the cyclical nature of poverty and the human cost of class disparity. 

Key Actors and Characters:

Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek: He is the patriarch of the Kim family. His quick thinking drives much of the film’s tension. His dry wit adds humor. 

Choi Woo-shik as Kim Ki-woo: The ambitious son whose initial tutoring job sets the entire plot in motion. 

Park So-dam as Kim Ki-jung: The cunning and resourceful daughter, who poses as an art therapist for the Parks. 

Lee Sun-kyun as Park Dong-ik: The wealthy patriarch of the Park family, whose privilege contrasts sharply with the Kims’ struggles. 

Cho Yeo-jeong as Park Yeon-kyo: The naive and trusting matriarch of the Park family, whose obliviousness adds comedic undertones. 

“You know what kind of plan never fails? No plan at all.” – Ki-taek’s bleak commentary on the futility of ambition in the face of systemic inequality. 

Themes Explored in Parasite:

1. Class Inequality: The stark divide between the wealthy Parks and the struggling Kims is significant. It underscores the systemic barriers faced by those in poverty. 

2. Deception and Survival: The Kims’ elaborate con exposes the lengths people will go to in order to escape hardship. 

3. The Fragility of Privilege: The Parks’ seemingly perfect lives appear flawless. However, they are just as precarious as the Kims’ schemes, albeit in different ways. 

4. The Human Condition: Parasite explores universal truths about greed, ambition, and the pursuit of a better life. These themes make it resonate across cultures. 

“If I had all this money, I’d be nice, too.” – Ki-taek, reflecting on how privilege can soften life’s hardships.

Music Composition Style:

Composer Jung Jae-il crafted a score that mirrors the film’s tonal shifts. It blends classical and minimalist elements. The score also includes tension-filled orchestral pieces. Tracks like The Belt of Faith highlight the Kims’ opportunistic schemes, while Zappaguri reflects the chaotic climax. The music enhances the film’s suspense, humour, and emotional resonance, becoming an integral part of the storytelling. 

Cinematography Style:

Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo’s work in Parasite is nothing short of genius. The visual storytelling relies heavily on verticality. The Kims’ semi-basement symbolizes their low social status. Meanwhile, the Parks’ sleek, elevated mansion represents wealth and privilege. 

The lighting shifts between warm, natural tones in the Parks’ home. It contrasts with the cold, harsh lighting in the Kims’ world. This further emphasises the class divide. Precise framing and dynamic camera movements draw viewers into the story, creating a sense of intimacy and unease. 

“It’s so metaphorical.” – Ki-woo, a recurring line that underscores the film’s layers of symbolism. 

Awards and Recognition:

Academy Awards (2020): Won Best Picture, Best Director (Bong Joon-ho), Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. 

Cannes Film Festival (2019): Won the Palme d’Or, the festival’s highest honour. 

Golden Globes (2020): Best Foreign Language Film. 

BAFTA Awards (2020): Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Not in the English Language. 

Screen Actors Guild Awards (2020): Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. 

Citations:

Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Barunson E&A, 2019. 

Hong, Kyung-pyo, cinematographer. 

Jung, Jae-il, composer. 

Parasite is a masterpiece that transcends language and culture, offering a gripping exploration of class, survival, and the human condition. Bong Joon-ho’s ground-breaking film not only made history at the Oscars but also left an indelible mark on global cinema. 

Celebrate the Oscars this July by revisiting Parasite, on your favourite streaming platform, and experience its brilliance all over again.

Share your thoughts in the comments—what moments or themes resonated most with you?