The Big Picture The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 8 - ‘Parasite’
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Oct 22, 2025 Dive into the world of 'Parasite' as the hosts unpack its layered storytelling and unforgettable ending. They explore the film's sharp critique of class dynamics, highlighting its blend of South Korean specifics with universal themes. The conversation touches on the film's brilliant visual design and the poignant empathy it evokes for all characters involved. Reflecting on its monumental Oscars win, they dissect how 'Parasite' reshaped the landscape of global cinema, making it an essential part of the 21st-century film canon.
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Global Classic From Local Specifics
- Parasite became an instant global classic by combining local South Korean specificity with universal themes.
- Its Best Picture and major awards wins signaled a major shift in how global cinema is recognized by mainstream institutions.
Class Mapped By Vertical Design
- Bong constructs the film as a precise visual system where vertical space maps class.
- Formal choices like stairs, hills, and windows make class distinctions immediately legible.
Collective Poor vs. Fragmented Wealth
- Bong films show the poor as a collective and the wealthy as fragmented individuals, a deliberate formal choice.
- That contrast signals how wealth grants personal freedom and the ability to act separately.
