# Parasite

> 2019 film directed by Bong Joon-ho

**Wikidata**: [Q61448040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61448040)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite_(2019_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/parasite

## Summary
*Parasite* is a 2019 South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho, a darkly comedic thriller that critiques wealth inequality and class disparity. It is the first non-English film to win both the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Picture, making it a landmark in global cinema.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *Parasite* (Korean: 기생충, *Gisaengchung*)
- **Director**: Bong Joon-ho
- **Release Dates**:
  - May 21, 2019 (Cannes Film Festival)
  - May 30, 2019 (South Korea)
  - October 11, 2019 (United States)
- **Genre**: Comedy drama, black comedy, thriller film
- **Production Companies**: Barunson E&A, CJ Entertainment
- **Country of Origin**: South Korea
- **Language**: Korean
- **Runtime**: 132 minutes
- **Budget**: $11 million (USD)
- **Box Office**: Over $263 million (USD)
- **Awards**:
  - Palme d'Or (2019)
  - Academy Award for Best Picture (2020)
  - Academy Award for Best Director (Bong Joon-ho)
  - Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay
  - BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language
  - Golden Globe Award for Best Non-English Language Film
- **Key Cast**: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam
- **Editor**: Yang Jin-mo
- **Music Composer**: Jung Jae-il
- **Wikidata ID**: Q520465
- **IMDb ID**: tt6751668
- **Official Website**: [parasite-movie.com](https://www.parasite-movie.com)

## FAQs
**What is *Parasite* about?**
*Parasite* is a darkly comedic thriller that explores the stark contrast between wealth and poverty through the story of two families—the impoverished Kim family and the wealthy Park family. The Kims gradually infiltrate the Parks' household, leading to a series of escalating conflicts and revelations.

**Who directed *Parasite*?**
The film was directed by Bong Joon-ho, a renowned South Korean filmmaker known for blending social commentary with genre storytelling. His other notable works include *Snowpiercer*, *The Host*, and *Memories of Murder*.

**What awards did *Parasite* win?**
*Parasite* made history by becoming the first non-English film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It also won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film, and multiple BAFTA awards, among others.

**What themes does *Parasite* explore?**
The film critiques class inequality, capitalism, and the desperation of those trapped in poverty. It uses dark humor and suspense to highlight the systemic barriers between social classes.

**How did *Parasite* impact global cinema?**
*Parasite* shattered the "one-inch barrier" of subtitles, proving that non-English films could achieve mainstream success in Western markets. Its Oscar wins marked a turning point for international cinema, paving the way for greater recognition of foreign-language films.

## Why It Matters
*Parasite* is a cultural milestone that transcends language and geography, exposing the universal realities of class struggle. Its unprecedented success at the Oscars challenged the dominance of English-language films in global awards, inspiring filmmakers and audiences worldwide. Beyond its artistic merit, the film serves as a mirror to societal inequalities, sparking conversations about privilege, exploitation, and the human cost of economic disparity. Its influence extends beyond cinema, reshaping how stories from non-Western perspectives are received and celebrated.

## Notable For
- First non-English film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- First South Korean film to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
- Won four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
- Achieved a rare "clean sweep" of major film awards across festivals and guilds.
- One of the highest-grossing foreign-language films in the U.S.
- Featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's tagging vocabulary and global encyclopedias.
- Inspired a wave of interest in South Korean cinema and storytelling.

## Body
### Overview and Plot
*Parasite* is a 2019 South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho, blending elements of comedy, drama, and thriller. The story follows the Kim family—unemployed and living in a semi-basement apartment—as they scheme their way into the lives of the wealthy Park family. Through deception and cunning, the Kims secure jobs as tutors, housekeepers, and drivers, only for their plan to unravel in violent and unexpected ways. The film’s title reflects the parasitic relationship between the two families, as well as the broader critique of class exploitation.

### Production and Release
- **Development**: Bong Joon-ho wrote the screenplay, drawing inspiration from his observations of class disparity in South Korea. The film was produced by Barunson E&A and distributed by CJ Entertainment.
- **Filming**: Principal photography took place in South Korea, with meticulous set designs to contrast the opulent Park residence with the cramped Kim household.
- **Premiere**: *Parasite* premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival on May 21, where it won the Palme d'Or.
- **Theatrical Release**: The film was released in South Korea on May 30, 2019, and in the United States on October 11, 2019.

### Critical Reception and Awards
*Parasite* received universal acclaim, with critics praising its sharp social commentary, direction, and performances. It holds a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 97/100 on Metacritic. Key awards include:
- **Cannes Film Festival (2019)**: Palme d'Or.
- **Academy Awards (2020)**: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature Film.
- **Golden Globes (2020)**: Best Non-English Language Film.
- **BAFTA Awards (2020)**: Best Film Not in the English Language, Best Original Screenplay.
- **Screen Actors Guild Awards (2020)**: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

### Themes and Analysis
The film explores themes of class struggle, capitalism, and the illusion of social mobility. Bong Joon-ho uses the Kim and Park families as allegories for broader societal issues, employing dark humor and suspense to expose the fragility of wealth and the desperation of poverty. The film’s climax, set in the Parks' basement, symbolizes the hidden underbelly of privilege and the violence inherent in maintaining class divisions.

### Cultural Impact
*Parasite* broke barriers for non-English films in Western markets, proving that subtitled cinema could achieve both critical and commercial success. Its Oscar wins sparked discussions about diversity in Hollywood and the global reach of storytelling. The film also inspired academic analysis, appearing in university curricula and film studies programs worldwide.

### Technical and Artistic Details
- **Cinematography**: The film’s visual style contrasts the sterile, modern aesthetic of the Park home with the grimy, chaotic Kim household.
- **Editing**: Yang Jin-mo’s editing heightens the film’s tension, particularly in its climactic sequences.
- **Music**: Jung Jae-il’s score blends orchestral and electronic elements, underscoring the film’s shifting tones from comedy to horror.

### Related Entities
- **Bong Joon-ho**: Director and co-writer, known for his socially conscious films.
- **CJ Entertainment**: South Korean production company involved in the film’s distribution.
- **Song Kang-ho**: Lead actor, portraying Kim Ki-taek, the patriarch of the Kim family.
- **Yang Jin-mo**: Editor, responsible for the film’s pacing and structure.
- **Jung Jae-il**: Composer, creating the film’s evocative score.

### Legacy and Influence
*Parasite* remains a defining work of 21st-century cinema, influencing filmmakers to explore class themes with boldness and creativity. Its success has led to increased visibility for South Korean films and a broader appreciation for international cinema. The film’s legacy is cemented by its inclusion in global film archives, encyclopedias, and academic discourse.

### Additional Resources
- **Official Website**: [parasite-movie.com](https://www.parasite-movie.com)
- **IMDb Page**: [imdb.com/title/tt6751668](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668)
- **Wikidata Entry**: [wikidata.org/wiki/Q520465](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q520465)

## References

1. Source
2. [BBFC database](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/parasite-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtmta1otyzmq)
3. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
4. The Movie Database
5. Parasite. Rotten Tomatoes
6. IMDb
7. [Bong's new movie 'Parasite' out May 30. The Korea Times. 2019](http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2019/05/689_268253.html)
8. [Parasite (2019): Release Info. IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668/releaseinfo)
9. [Source](https://tickets.parasite-film.de/)
10. Box Office Mojo
11. AlloCiné
12. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
13. [Source](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/neons-tom-quinn-bong-joon-hos-historic-oscar-wins-parasite-im-absolute-shock-1278393)
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. [Source](https://variety.com/2020/artisans/awards/parasite-editing-jinmo-yang-bong-joon-ho-1203456077/)
16. [Source](http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20183782)
17. [Source](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-02-10/who-is-miky-lee-parasite-producer)
18. BBC Things
19. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/fskkarte.asp?pvid=601259)
20. [Parasite (2019): Technical Specifications. IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668/technical)
21. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt6751668/)
22. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/parasite/page26-0-1204103.html)
23. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1204103)
24. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2019&s_month=8&e_year=2019&e_month=8&pageID=2)
25. film distribution certificate
26. Australian Classification database
27. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=75089)
28. ClassInd database
29. [Source](http://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=144719)
30. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16253)
31. [Source](http://calificaciones.incaa.gob.ar/index.php?q=Parasite&director=&bt_buscar=Buscar+Calificaciones)
32. [Source](https://www.kmrb.or.kr/data/searchMovieView.do?rcv_no=2144743)
33. [Source](https://rtc.segob.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/temas_interes/peliculasautorizadas/PeliculasAutorizadasDiciembre2019.pdf)
34. [Source](http://fpbquery.fpb.org.za/erms/film_details.aspx?ref=83327)
35. Bechdel Test Movie List
36. Parasite
37. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAbRZAANAAAFwhAAF)
38. [Source](https://www.medieraadet.dk/vurderinger/115551)
39. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6751668/parentalguide/#certificates)
40. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=419779)
41. [Film & Video Labelling Body](http://www.fvlb.org.nz/nz/pages/publication-details.html?title=209934)
42. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/28AE4EA4003D048D)
43. [Source](https://cinema.bamid.gov.tw/search/result?SearchType=Movie&CertificateNumber=108294)
44. FilmVandaag.nl