Introduction
The sequence I have chosen from the film Parasite (2019), directed by Bong Joon-ho, is when the Kim family introduces themselves to the Park family as new teachers. The father, Mr. Kim, leads the family to the Parks’ residence at the beginning, and the Parks decide to hire all four of them to tutor their children at the conclusion. This sequence introduces the place and characters slowly. Viewers get to know the Kims, a four-person, low-income family in dire need of employment. The contrast between the two families is emphasized as the camera follows the Kims arriving at the Parks’ home.
The Park family is presented as the situation becomes more dramatic during their arrival. The camera highlights the Parks’ beautiful residence, further contrasting it with the Kims’ lowly upbringing. The Kims make an effort to demonstrate their value by showcasing their special talents and credentials despite the Parks’ skepticism about them (Parasite). The Park family ultimately decides to hire the Kims, and the scene concludes with the Kims exulting in their success. The two families are introduced in this order, which also highlights how they differ in terms of social class and ways of life.
This scene, which occurs in the middle of the movie, marks a significant narrative turning point. It is at this time that the Kims enter the Parks’ opulent home and begin their intrusion into the Park household (Parasite). It emphasizes the contrast between the two families, showing the inequity and injustice that occur between the rich and the poor.
Thus, this segment best captures the director’s overarching vision for the movie (Parasite). At this point, the Kims achieve their ultimate objective—to deceive the Park family—allowing them to live a life of luxury. The themes of class conflict and injustice that are portrayed throughout the movie are well encapsulated in this scene.
Cinematography
The use of cinematography in this sequence serves to highlight the differences between the two households. To portray a sense of inequity and to contrast the two households, director Bong Joon-ho employs a range of shooting distances. Long shots are used at the beginning of the scene to establish the setting and to emphasize the differences between the two households. The Kims are seen in this photograph approaching the Parks’ home, highlighting the separation between them (Parasite). The camera switches to a medium view as the Kims approach the house, using it to simultaneously focus on the Kims and the Parks’ home to emphasize the difference between the two.
The director’s use of close-up distances, such as close-ups and extreme close-ups, creates a link between the characters and the audience throughout the scene. These images highlight the conflict between the two families and convey the protagonists’ feelings. For instance, the camera zooms in on each character’s face while the Park family decides whether or not to hire the Kims, giving the scene a sense of intimacy and bringing out each person’s emotions (Parasite).
The contrast between the two families is particularly highlighted by the camera angles utilized in this sequence. The Park family is frequently depicted as more imposing and authoritative by having the camera set at a low angle. For instance, the camera is positioned at a low angle, gazing up at the Park family when they are debating whether or not to recruit the Kims, underlining their control and power over the Kims.
Moreover, the director uses camera movement to build tension or highlight particular situations. For instance, the camera follows the Kims as they ascend the steps to the Parks’ house, raising the dramatic tension and fostering a sense of expectation. The mise-en-scène is also employed to highlight the differences between the two families (Parasite). The director juxtaposes the two families by showing them in the same frame throughout the sequence. This emphasizes their inequality and draws attention to the discrepancy between their lifestyles.
Production Design
The chosen scene from Parasite (2019) uses production design to draw a sharp contrast between the two families. The Kims’ residence is a small, dark apartment with few furnishings and accessories. The windows are filthy, and the walls are covered in flaking paint. The utilization of natural sunlight and a subdued color scheme emphasizes the scene even more (Parasite). The Kims’ house has a limited number of furniture pieces and dispersed personal objects as props.
On the other hand, Parks’ house is an opulent, contemporary mansion. Its walls are stark white, and it is furnished with pricey ornaments (Parasite). The Parks’ house is filled with several props, including high-end sculptures, electronics, and works of art. The setting and props for the Parks’ house were created using special effects and computer graphics. Although it might have been done physically, adding CGI and special effects gave the viewer a more lifelike and immersive experience.
The Kims are wearing poorly fitting, ill-fitting, and scruffy clothing. Their attire indicates their lower-class upbringing and their plight for employment. On the other hand, the Parks are clad in high-end clothing and accessories. This demonstrates their affluence and high-class status. Characters’ makeup and attire also represent their personality.
The Kims’ clothes use dark, muted colors to emphasize their depressed nature. The Parks’ colorful attire highlights their upbeat and positive personality (Parasite). Each family’s composition can be utilized to determine its social standing. The Kims wear very little makeup, while the Parks wear more ornate makeup, highlighting the socioeconomic class differences between the two families.
Overall, the production design in this section of Parasite highlights the themes of class struggle and injustice discussed throughout the movie and establishes a strong contrast between the two families. Together, the sets, accessories, outfits, and cosmetics indicate the social position of the actors and provide the viewer with a believable and immersive experience.
Conclusion
The scene from the 2019 film Parasite is an outstanding illustration of how cinematography, production design, and other elements of filmmaking may be used to deliver a strong message. The director can highlight the contrast between the two families and call attention to the significant contrasts in their way of life and social position through the use of long shots, close-ups, camera angles, and mise-en-scène. The gap between the two families is depicted, and the sets, accessories, costumes, and character makeup highlight the themes of class struggle and injustice that run throughout the film. This scene illustrates how strong storytelling can be achieved through superb filmmaking and highlights the director’s overall goal for the film.
Works Cited
Parasite. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Barunson E & A, 2019.