Why Parasite’s Win Matters

graphic by lucinda strol

It’s been a long time since the Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards has caused the stir and excitement that Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite did. Being the first foreign-language film to win the award, it is becoming very evident that the purely white, male-dominated industry of Hollywood might finally be changing its course- and we’re loving it. 

If you haven’t seen Parasite yet...what are you doing?! Go see it! We won’t say too much about the plot for the sake of being *spoiler free* but we will talk a bit about the themes and conversations that this film has brought into the limelight.

Parasite was definitely an underdog for Best Picture, not only because it’s a non-English speaking film, but also due to its thematic content. From beginning to end, Parasite gives a striking depiction of modern class-structures and how the upper class interacts with the lower class. It’s ruthless in its social commentary in all the best ways. We love it. While the topic of social class and economic status is not new by any means, it’s something rarely addressed in the light of Hollywood and even less recognized in award ceremonies. The thought of some of the most famous people in the world awarding a movie that appears to critique the lifestyles that they live themselves just seemed, well, unlikely. 

But, of course, it did win (um HELL YEAH), much to the surprise and excitement of many viewers. People love this movie, and it’s because it shows issues that we all see on a daily basis. 

If 1917 had won, honestly no one would have really cared (yes, it’s good, but c’mon how many of us actually saw it?). We do want to point out that there are probably many fantastic films that have tried to achieve the same goal that Parasite has...but the fact that we don’t know what they are is all the more reason why this win for Parasite is so important. Mainstream media needs more content that highlights the conversation that this movie does, and this one seems to be carving a path for more like it. Not to mention it’s beautifully shot and absolutely hilarious and perfect in every way… can you tell how much we love this film?
So, if you haven’t seen Parasite yet because you haven’t had the time or you’re just one of those I-don’t-like-subtitles-people… suck it up, sit down, and watch it, because we’re sure this won’t be the last of its kind.