‘Parasite’ is Tragicomedy At Its Best

Not many international films can grab the attention of the Academy Awards like the Korean special ‘Parasite’, which straddles multiple genres such as comedy, drama and thriller.

The critically acclaimed film was nominated for 31 awards across multiple platforms. Winning the Oscar for best picture, best director, best original screenplay and best international film, it became the first South Korean film to receive Academy Award recognition, as well as the first film in a language other than English to win best picture.

The film follows the comedic exploits of a poor family of four who are down on their luck. Father is jobless. Mother is jobless. Son is jobless. And, daughter is a con and forgery artist that is best at faking professionals in various industries – even being hired as an extra at wedding ceremonies.

What ensues is a twisted recipe of survival and getting ahead in life as the family’s fortunes start to look up after the son scores a tutoring job in a wealthy home. This is where all the scheming and sadistic methodology of the luckless family kick in.

Then comes the drama of events falling into place, as the wealthy family’s driver is framed and the father seamlessly takes his place, the daughter is installed as an art instructor with falsified qualifications, and the mother replaces the allergy prone housekeeper.

The plan also comes by a little fortunate luck as the son overhears the housewife’s absolute desire to make her little son more sociable around members of the house.

In the end the events which take place have both families looking at each other through a different lens.

Director Bong Joon-ho brings together a talented cast that includes veteran actor Kang-Ho Song as the scheming patriarch, alongside Lee Jeong-eun as the wife. The son and daughter combination is portrayed by Choi Woo-shik and Parl So-dam.

The hosting family is played by Lee Sun Gyun as the unsuspecting architect and his wife is played by Cho Yeo-jeong. Jeon Ji-so plays their daughter.

‘Parasite’ tells the tale of two families from opposite poles who meet through the devices and machinations of one side. The plot is intriguing and devious and it’s certainly clear why it has been such a hit with the critics.

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