Buzz
The 92nd Oscar ceremony marked a milestone in history as Parasite, the first non-English language film, secured the Best Picture award. A tribute to Bong Joon-ho's two-decade-long dedication. Let's revisit the director's masterpieces.
7. Okja (2017) – The Marvelous Okja
Before Parasite, director Bong crafted a colorful satirical film for Netflix titled Okja. It follows Mija, a South Korean girl, and her loyal companion, the 'super pig' Okja – a massive creature owned by a food producer aiming to boost profits. When the company tries to take Okja for meat, Mija embarks on an adventure to rescue it.
6. Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000) – Silent Canines
Let's explore Bong Joon-ho's debut film, Barking Dogs Never Bite. The 2000 South Korean film depicts a former unemployed university lecturer, sinking into frustration as he hears dogs barking in his apartment building. In a fit of rage, he decides to kidnap these innocent dogs and eliminate them. Meanwhile, Park Hyun-nam, a petite but determined young girl, heroically sets out to find the missing dogs.
5. The Host (2006) – Han River Monster
Bong Joon-ho's inaugural mainstream project nearly 15 years ago features a film about a colossal monster. The Host, starring Song Kang Ho (the father in Parasite), portrays another father who, along with his family, confronts the abduction of his daughter by a monster residing in the Han River. The family believes they are the only ones who can save the little girl.
4. Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon Ho's first English-language venture, Snowpiercer, unfolds with a colossal project budget. The narrative follows survivors in Earth's second Ice Age, navigating life on a luxurious train racing through snowy landscapes. The poorest residents of the train initiate plans to improve their way of life.
3. Mother (2009) – A Maternal Enigma
Mother (2009) is a mysterious film depicting a mother living with her intellectually disabled son. The duo faces a serious predicament when the body of a murdered young girl is discovered. Evidence pointing to her son as a suspect, he becomes the primary focus of the police's lackadaisical investigation. Discontent with the legal system, the mother personally fights for justice for her son.
2. Memories of Murder (2003) – Recollections of a Killer
This marks Bong Joon Ho's second film and secures the second spot in this list. Memories of Murder stands out as it is based on real events: the first serial murders in South Korea during the 80s and 90s. The story follows a pair of detectives on the trail of the perpetrator behind those shocking crimes. Set in the desperate, captivating, and emotional backdrop of the 80s, it marks the beginning of Bong Joon Ho showcasing his talent.
1. Parasite (2019) – The Parasitic Triumph
Bong's latest masterpiece amalgamates every aspect, elevating his filmmaking prowess to new heights. Parasite narrates the tale of South Korea, Bong Joon Ho's homeland and the canvas where he exhibits his finest strengths unlike in any other project.
Parasite delivers a unique, timeless message about class struggle in a remarkably nuanced and multifaceted manner. In essence, the story can be encapsulated in two words: greed and class discrimination, forging a dramatic clash between the affluent Park family and the destitute Kim family.
