The success of Parasite is no longer to be proven. After a palme d'or at Cannes in 2019, the thriller directed by the South Korean Bong Joon-Ho which tells the social shock between two families which all opposes, was full of statuettes during the 92nd Academy Awards on 9 February. Best film, best director, best international film and best original screenplay, this is the impressive list of achievements that Parasite can now boast of. . This worldwide recognition is in the process of ensuring a certain posterity for the film which will soon experience a series. Focus on five anecdotes that have further shaped the legend of the film.
Read also: Oscars: Parasite, the phenomenon of Bong Joon-ho, upsets the history of cinema
Crisps galore
The beautiful story. Cesar Bonilla, an 87-year-old Spanish citizen, has been living on a cloud since leaving Parasite . And for good reason, its brand of chips Bonilla a la Vista saw its sales increase by 150% in Iberian lands. The reason? In the film, the Ki-Taek family savor some of these crisps in the Park lounge. “I would like to thank Bong Joon-ho a thousand times. I have tears in my eyes when I think about it, ” said Bonilla, explaining that he had discovered it “ thanks to friends and clients who spotted the box in the film ” . As a thank you, Cesar Bonilla intends to send some confections of these famous "Patatas fritas" to the director: "He deserves these boxes" .
Black and white catching up
For the few who have not yet seen Parasite in the movies, it is not too late. Since February 19, a “Black and White” version of the film has been available in theaters. A slightly different experience from the original which highlights certain details. “I find it fascinating to see how the viewing experience will be modified for the public who will discover the film in this version. I am sure that everyone will have a different opinion on this new version , explains the South Korean director. The first time I saw it, the film almost looked like a fable, and I had the strange feeling of watching a story from another era. The second time, the film seemed to me much more realistic, sharp as a blade. Since then, the film has never stopped redefining itself in my head . ”
Donald Trump indignant
If the big family of the Hollywood cinema was conquered by Parasite , it is not the case of everyone in the country of Uncle Sam. During a campaign meeting for his re-election in Colorado Springs, the President of United States strongly criticized the choices during the last mass of American cinema. “We have enough problems with South Korea, with trade. And above all, they give them the title of best film of the year? ” , did he declare. The answer was soon received through Neon, the American distributor of the film who explained on Twitter that Trump did not understand anything about the subtitles because "he cannot read" .
A statue thanks to the statuettes
This beginning of the year has definitely consecrated Bong Joon-ho as one of the very best modern filmmakers. By winning three Oscars, he became a hero in South Korea. Yet nothing was won in advance. Before its triumph in mondovision, Parasite was considered by the Korean conservative parties as a "communist film" and its director an "anti-American leftist". Today, these same politicians wish to erect a statue of Bong Joon-ho in his hometown of Daegu. The idea of a museum was also raised, as well as the name of a street. “ Parasite has written a new story. It is a monumental achievement that has spread the power of South Korean films and culture around the world, " said Park Yong-Chan, a spokesperson for Liberty Korea Party, the main conservative opposition party.
A custom house
Parasite's main backdrop , the Park family's luxurious home was built specifically for the needs of the film. Everything has been thought of to facilitate filming, and it is with the basement and the apartment of the Ki-Taek three different decors that have been built to offer the result we know. "Since Mr. Park's house is built by an architect in the story, it was not easy to find the right approach to design the house," revealed decorator Lee to Les Inrockuptibles in October. "We give priority to the placement of the characters and to the angles of the camera, while the architects build spaces for people to live in, and design them from this perspective," he explained. Vulture reports that the furniture was really expensive, with chairs at $ 2,100 each and a table valued at more than 22,000 euros.