Film Analysis: The Metaphors in the Movie Parasite

Parasite is a South Korean movie that was released in 2019. The film was critically acclaimed and went on to win several awards internationally upon its release, including an Academy Award for Best Picture, making it the first Asian film to do so. The film director, Bong Joon-ho, adds a unique charm to the film through his skillful use of metaphorical techniques, which help to unravel the movies more profound meaning and theme: the class divide between the rich and the poor in South Korea. This paper will focus on analyzing the camera work and the metaphorical meaning of key scenes and symbols. Specifically, the cinematography in the movie will be discussed in regard to the camera angles and movements. The analysis will focus on two spatial scenes of Semi-basement and Villa, as well as the scene of Ladder, which will be assessed regarding their significance as symbols and metaphors.