Notes on "Parasite" Lecture

Overview

• Movie Title: Parasite
• Release Year: 2019
• Awards:
  • Best Picture (first foreign language film to win)
  • Best Director
  • Best Original Screenplay
  • Best International Film

Plot Summary

• Main Characters:

  • Kim Family (struggling)
  • Park Family (wealthy)

• Storyline:

  • Kim family forms relationship with Park family.
  • Their greed and class discrimination create tension.

Themes

• Class Struggle:

  • Depicts the struggles of lower-class families against wealth.
  • The parks live in isolation from the harsh realities of the outside world.

• Morality:

  • Explores the complexities of good vs. evil in human behavior.
  • Characters are depicted in shades of grey rather than black and white.

Key Characters & Performances

• Kang-ho Song (Key Tech):

  • Not nominated for an Oscar despite strong performance.
  • Known for roles in other Korean films like "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and "The Good, the Bad, the Weird."

• Bong Joon-ho:

  • Director and writer with a distinctive style.
  • Known for films like "Memories of Murder" and "Snowpiercer."

Cinematic Techniques

• Set Design:

  • The Park family's house was a constructed set tailored for the film's narrative.

• Tone and Style:

  • A tragic comedy that shifts between various tones (humor, tension, drama).
  • Skillfully blends genres and emotional responses.

Symbolism

• Scholar's Rock:

  • Represents hope and ambition but ultimately leads to disaster.

• Stairs & Levels:

  • Physical representation of class divisions (higher versus lower class).
  • The descent into the basement symbolizes the Kim family's return to their lower status.

Climax and Conclusion

• Climactic Party Scene:

  • Chaos erupts during a party, leading to tragic outcomes for both families.
  • Highlights the stark differences in how the families perceive each other.

• Ending:

  • Kevin survives but is left disillusioned.
  • Kevin's father is still hiding, showing the ongoing cycle of desperation.

Future Projects

• Bong Joon-ho is working on a "Parasite" TV series for HBO.
• Intended to expand on the movie's themes and story, potentially losing some of its original essence with Americanization.

Personal Reflections

• Acknowledgement of the film's impact on mainstream cinema.
• The lecture reinforces the idea that both the rich and poor have their flaws and that class divides can lead to devastating consequences.