Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Bong Joon-ho revisits feel-good Oscar moments
Director Bong Joon-ho, second from right second row, poses with “Parasite” cast and staff at the press conference for his historic four-Oscar win at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Director Bong Joon-ho thanked his staff, cast and fans, saying that their endless dedication and support helped him throughout the unprecedented journey for “Parasite.”
“It feels surreal that we were able to gain such widespread acclaim inside and outside the country,” Bong said at a press conference for his historic four-Oscar win at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday.
“Parasite” became the first foreign-language film to win best picture at the Academy Awards in its 92-year history on Feb. 9. It won four Oscars, including best director, best international feature film and best original screenplay.
As of Feb. 19, the film has won a total of 174 awards at international film festivals and awards ceremonies.
Bong shared several anecdotes that occurred during Parasite's awards-season campaign, which lasted even longer than the filming period, beginning in August last year.
“Since it was our first time going through an awards campaign, our team ― consisting of Neon, Barunson E&A and CJ ENM ― all worked really hard on it. With less budget compared to other big studios, I personally did more than 600 media interviews and held over 100 post-screening Q&A sessions,” he said.
“There were times when I felt a little bit overwhelmed, but over the course of time, I could feel how Academy members look at films and decide their votes.”
The film is a story of two economically polarized families, one poor and one wealthy. The story develops as the son of the impoverished family, with the help of his sister, fabricates his educational background and works as a tutor for the daughter of the wealthy family.
Bong broached social inequality in his previous films like “The Host” and “Snowpiercer,” but they failed to appeal to the worldwide audience due to their sci-fi elements.
“Even in 'The Host' and 'Snowpiercer,' my films have always featured social class boundaries and inequalities,” Bong said. “However, Parasite was able to captivate the attention of mass audience because it resembles reality, and everyone can relate to the story.”
The director also mentioned that calling the Oscars “local” was not intended to provoke controversy.
“I simply used the word 'local' while comparing it to the big three international film festivals ― Cannes, Berlin and Venice,” he said.
At the press conference, Bong revealed that Martin Scorsese sent him a congratulatory letter.
“I received a letter from Martin Scorsese this morning. I cannot share the letter's contents, but he told me to take a short break because he's looking forward to my next film,” he said.
Bong paid homage to Scorsese by quoting his words, “the most personal is the most creative,” in his Oscar acceptance speech for best director.
Furthermore, the director discussed the future of Korean film industry, hoping his big win will create a more favorable environment for young directors to make experimental films.
“It's a pity that it's become harder for independent filmmakers to break into the mainstream film industry. There needs to be a dynamic collision between the two,” Bong said.
Although Bong's first commercial film “Barking Dogs Never Bite” received a lukewarm response from critics and the audience in 1999, he went on to direct a number of highly-acclaimed films throughout his career.
“We must reflect on how Hong Kong's cinema underwent a drastic decline in the 1990s, and not be afraid of taking risks,” he said.
Regarding some politicians' suggestion to set up a life-size sculpture of Bong and promote his house a tourist attraction, he laughed and said, “Please discuss that after I die.”