PARASITE

Now, this may seem like an obvious choice to start a feature about non-English language films, but really it couldn’t have been anything other.

Parasite was the first non-English language to win best picture at The Academy Awards, paving the way for British and American audiences into the world of foreign film. It was, in the UK, the 7th highest grossing film of 2019, boasting a higher box office than the likes of Rise of Skywalker and Jumanji: The Next Level. And, perhaps most importantly, it annoyed Donald Trump who, despite having not watched the film, criticised Parasite’s win at The Oscars, lamenting the fact that we no longer award movies like Gone With the Wind.

Parasite manages, with ease, to span genres, and themes. It is part social drama, part thriller, and part comedy. It is a heist movie, a farce, and a horror. It is often said of film, usually incorrectly, that there is something for everyone, but in Parasite’s case it is true. It is a crowd pleaser. The cinema I saw it in back in 2019 was full. Not a seat spare. And throughout the audience laughed out loud, audibly gasped, and visibly winced. Their was an air of excitement as we left, knowing that we had just seen something remarkable.

Parasite has a large cast, but the numerous characters are portrayed subtly. Three dimensionally. The line between protagonist and antagonist blurred to the point that it is almost impossible to tell which is which. Each character has shades of light and dark. All born from where the are from, and how they were raised, for the disparity between the two families, their two opposing class statuses, is stark, and represented forcefully throughout. Even down to the fact that the Park family live atop the hill hill, surrounded by luscious greenery and sparkling cleanliness, whereas the Kims live at the bottom, in a basement with a malfunctioning toilet.

It is a movie that rewards repeat watching, and I am sure I will see something new, take something different away from it, every single time I watch.

Director Bong Joon-ho, had he been from a country with English as it’s native tongue, would have been a household name, with the likes of Okja and Snowpiercer in his back catalogue. He deserves to have large audiences watch his movies, whether this is using subtitles as I would recommend - though I appreciate that there are a number of reasons why one might be unable to do so - or with the English dub

Taking to the stage at the 2020 Golden Globes, Bong Joon-ho remarked “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films”. He was right, and this is something I hope the explore in this feature.

If you want a jumping in point though, Parasite is the place to start.