Get ready to dive into the world of Bong-Joon Ho’s latest masterpiece, Parasite. This movie has shattered records and boundaries all over the world, and it’s no surprise why. It’s a true master class in writing, directing, acting, editing, and cinematography. Speaking of cinematography, have you seen the latest video from Shane Hurlbut’s team on the Hurlbut Academy’s YouTube channel? They take a deep dive into exactly how the Parasite team pulled off the Oscar-winning film’s visual tone and aesthetic. Trust us, it’s worth a watch.
Let’s start with framing the shots. Bong drew mock-ups of the houses in the film while writing the script, giving the production design team a head start on their work. Each home was designed with front-facing windows that essentially mirrored the windows of the other home. For the poor family, the window is small, and their view is of a drunkard relieving himself. For the rich family, a larger, more expansive window was created, one that looks out over a beautiful garden. Inspired by Kurosawa’s High and Low, Bong initially shot down toward the poor Kim family. When the son becomes the tutor, the perspective flips, and we look up at him.
Cinematographer Kyung-pyo Hong shot Parasite on the Alexa65 to allow for wider, more encompassing shots without needing to use a super wide lens. And let’s not forget about the importance of lighting. Kyung-pyo played with sunshine to further distinguish the differences between rich and poor. In the rich family’s mansion, most of the house’s interior is comfortably washed in warm-hued natural light all day. In the poor family’s basement, sunlight only comes through a small window.
Staircases play a prominent role in Parasite, signifying promotion and demotion in the world of the film. Bong was inspired by Hitchcock’s use of stairs in Pyscho and Ki-young Kim’s The Housemaid from 1960.
Bong’s previous work is filled with hyper-symmetrical shots, but with Parasite, he gives us almost symmetrical shots. These shots were intentional; Bong wanted us to feel like we were almost getting somewhere and a sense that we’d never fully arrive.
The house and locations are characters in themselves, and Bong uses key physical location elements to split shots between the wealthy and poor. In many scenes, there are windows, background furniture, or textures on glass splitting the frame. It’s a genius approach that you might not even realize is happening, but you feel it.
Parasite is a meticulously crafted film that showcases the greatness of director Bong Joon Ho. It’s no wonder it’s broken records and won countless awards. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? And if you have, go watch it again and pay attention to the cinematography, blocking, and storyboarding. It’s truly a work of art.
