Bong Joon Ho: A Conversation with a Cinematic Master
Bong Joon Ho, the acclaimed South Korean filmmaker and three-time Academy Award winner, recently appeared on an episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast. This episode features two segments: the first captured live at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, shortly before Bong’s groundbreaking film, Parasite, made history by winning the Oscar for Best Picture as the first non-English-language film. The second part of the conversation took place via Zoom last month, coinciding with the U.S. release of his latest project, Mickey 17.
The Rise of a Visionary Director
Bong’s cinematic journey began with his 2000 directorial debut, Barking Dogs Never Bite. Since then, his repertoire has expanded with notable films such as Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006), Mother (2009), Snowpiercer (2013), and Okja (2017). However, it was Parasite that catapulted him into the global spotlight. This dark comedy-drama, exploring the dynamics between a poor and a wealthy family in contemporary Korea, resonated with audiences worldwide. The film not only received exceptional critical acclaim—maintaining a staggering 99% on Rotten Tomatoes—but also achieved remarkable financial success, grossing $53.85 million domestically and $208.75 million internationally, totaling an impressive $262.60 million.
Unprecedented Accolades for Parasite
Premiering at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Parasite made history as the first Korean film to win the prestigious Palme d’Or. It continued to break records by being the first non-English-film to receive the Best Ensemble Award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. On February 9, 2020, it claimed the Oscar for Best Picture, a first for a non-English-language film. Bong won three Oscars that night—Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture—also bringing home the award for Best International Feature, a category Korea had never won before. A.O. Scott, the chief film critic for the New York Times, hailed Parasite as “the movie of the year,”declaring Bong potentially “the filmmaker of the century.”
A Resurgence in 2023
Fast forward to today, and Bong is once again at the forefront of the film industry discussions. On February 7, 2023, Parasite was re-released in IMAX, reigniting interest in the film. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is set to debut its inaugural exhibition dedicated to Bong Joon Ho on March 23. Furthermore, his highly anticipated film Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, was released by Warner Bros. on March 7, 2023. These events provide a timely opportunity to revisit and share insights from Bong’s two interviews, expertly translated by the talented Sharon Choi.