South Korean Cinema
The Beast, the Father & The Message
Director Bong Joon-ho was already a highly recognized filmmaker in South Korea and Asia before winning an Oscar for directing Parasite. Joon-ho's The Host was my introduction to the timeless director's work when it was released in 2006. The movie was so successful that it was dubbed in Hindi and aired on television in Bangladesh, where I grew up.
The Host blends horror, thriller, and dark comedy to deliver a cinematic experience for ages. The film became a cult favorite and solidified Bong Joon-ho's reputation as a master storyteller. The movie depicts the story of the Park family, who own a snack bar by the Han River in Seoul. Their ordinary lives take an unexpected turn when a monstrous creature appears from the river, causing chaos and snatching away Hyun-seo, the family's youngest member. What follows is a gripping tale of survival as the Park family embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue Hyun-seo from the monster's clutches.
Gwoemul as a Metaphor
The film is more than just another monster horror movie. It has many hidden themes that give the narrative depth and complexity beyond the genre. The giant mutant amphibious predator in this film is popularly known as Gwoemul. The aggressive and dangerous Gwoemul serves as a metaphor for various societal issues such as environmental pollution, government incompetence, and the consequences of American military presence in South Korea.
Visual Effects
The film also showcases the incredible talent of South Korean technical artists. With a small budget and limited technology available back then, they were able to craft visually stunning special effects and production designs that bring Gwoemul to life in terrifying detail. Every detail of the monster, from its slimy tentacles to razor-sharp teeth, is thoughtfully designed to incite fear in the audience.
Humor and Perfomences
Amidst the devastation and disorder, Bong Joon-ho infuses moments of black comedy, making the audience laugh. That extra drizzle makes the dish perfect for presentation and to enjoy.
The entire cast delivers remarkable performances in the movie, with Song Kang-ho standing out as the clumsy yet determined head of the Park family. His performance as Gang-du, a flawed yet lovable underdog, is the emotional anchor amidst the chaos. Bae Doona's performance as Nam-joo Gang-du is also noteworthy.
When any movie fan questions my passion for watching monster movies and tries to reason with my passion, I always tell them that monsters are visually captivating devices used as a metaphor for reality. Godzilla, also known as the King of Monsters, is one of my favorite film monsters. Godzilla was created as a metaphor for nuclear weapons, and it explores deeper themes such as human greed, nature, everyday people's lives, societal negligence, and government corruption. For me, movies are not just about action sequences and CGI; they are a form of art that tells visually stunning stories and conveys social messages.
The Host is close to my heart because it is our generation's Godzilla that metaphors environmental pollution and its deadly consequences. The movie greatly impacted me when I watched it as a kid, making me aware of environmental pollution and what I can do to bring more awareness to protecting our nature.
Bong Joon-ho's skillful direction, exceptional performances, and stunning special effects make it a must-see, and understand the message echoing the conflict between a father and a beast.
