‘Parasite’ Is the Year’s Most Talked about Foreign Language Film
Dark, comical Korean thriller “Parasite” is the highest-grossing non-English language film in the U.S. for 2019 and might be the first foreign film to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
When the South Korean film “Parasite” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, no one could have predicted the rapturous response from the audience. Loud and enthusiastic, it went on to win the year’s Palme d’Or prize and rave reviews from critics worldwide.
After Cannes, the R-rated film prepared for its gradual theatrical release. Now, after five weeks in cinemas, the film has grossed a steadily rising $11.3 million. That figure, while modest for blockbuster films, is an impressive earning for a captioned film. In fact, it’s the year’s highest for any non-English language film in the U.S., and its rollout is still ongoing. Globally, the international sensation has amassed over $107 million.
The film currently holds a 99 percent Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score, with many critics predicting it will earn Oscar noms beyond the Best Foreign Language Film category. If it does win Best Picture, it will be the first foreign-language film to be awarded the honor.
“Imagine a high-wire act where the acrobat suddenly leaps to a higher wire, then to another that's higher still. It's the best way I can think of to describe the giddy thrill of watching Parasite, a masterpiece of serial surprises.” Wall Street Journal
Bong Joon-ho, the film’s director, has received special praise for the unique, twisty tale. Rolling Stone wrote: “Let's just say it: the South Korean auteur Bong Joon Ho is some kind of genius and he tops himself with 'Parasite’ – it’s explosive film-making on every level and one of the cinema high points of 2019. You won't know what hit you.”
Described as a “nerve-wracking masterpiece whose spell lingers long after its haunting final image” by New York Magazine, “Parasite” provides hilarious and colorful commentary on class through the lives of two Korean families: the rich Park’s and the poor Kim’s. The Kim’s misfortunes seem to near their end when they all find employment at the affluent family’s home – until a new threat appears to ruin it all.
“Parasite” is in theaters now and available from Swank this winter.