By Tess Taylor
It has been more than 2 weeks since I watched the multi-award winning Korean movie Parasite at the Cineplex. I thought at first it was a natural disaster movie, which is not my cup of tea. My idea of a movie night is to relax. Not to be tense and disturbed. But from a brief and hurried checking out online, it seems it was not. I decided to go and see for myself why it was garnering so much attention and accolades globally. At first, I felt it was a letdown for me. But after a few days of being mildly haunted by that movie, I can see why it is taking the world by storm. Oscar award or not.
In Parasite, what struck me most was the stark (and literally shocking) difference between the lifestyles of the 2 families. It was disturbing and uncomfortable. It made me think for days after watching the movie of the lives of other people that we don’t see. Watching the movie was a shock treatment. I felt a bit unhinged for a couple of days just mulling over the movie.
Another thing which captured my imagination were the staircases. Steps going up and down. From the street to the house of the rich family. From the living room to the bedrooms. From the kitchen to that dank-looking basement. Steps from the street, down, down to the poor family’s living quarters. It was like going on a roller coaster ride up and down. Going down to the depths of dark living to ascending up to that clear blue sky from the garden of the rich family. It reminds me somehow, at least from what I have read in books and seen in movies, and from my sister who lives in Stockholm, of taking a hot sauna and jumping afterwards into a freezing cold lake. Quite an experience. It probably invigorates you or drains you.
One thing I loved though, was the “architecture” and design of the house of the rich family. That was so incredible. It reminded me of a somewhat minimalist Frank Lloyd Wright-ish design. To think that the house was just a set!!! Imagine that?! It was built specifically as a set for the movie. I am so impressed by that. I wonder if they tore it down.
One last thing. I thought the actors were excellent. All of them. I noticed how the acting of the daughter of the poor family has matured from her stint in the k drama Cinderella and the 4 Knights (Netflix has it).
That was my take on the South Korean movie Parasite. I think they deserved all the attention and praises. A soul-shaking and thought-provoking movie. Pleasant and unpleasant thoughts albeit.
P.S. My mother was right. The South Koreans are masters in film making. For movies or television.
From mayhem, we move on to feeling good. If you are looking for a good, funny, heart-warming, wholesome, family-oriented, exciting, action-packed (all the clichés!) film, check this out – Lost in Russia. A 2020 mainland China-produced movie co-written, co-produced, directed and starred in by noted Chinese actor Xu Zheng. Just like his earlier 2 top-grossing films in China, Lost in Thailand (2012) and Lost in Hong Kong (2015). I happen to stumble on this gem of a movie one night while searching for new films from Asia online. After 5 minutes on to the movie, I was hooked. Mabuti na lang it was a movie and not a drama series of anywhere from 16 to 70 (?!) episodes. Otherwise I would have been sleepless in Toronto for days. Just like when I first read Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. This was before it even landed the New York Times best seller list. (Yikes! How long ago was that? Did I just date myself?) That was a 2- day marathon reading. By the time I put down the book, 2 days had passed. (Yes, I still had work. I managed to muddle through somehow). The movie was a disappointment though. Just read the book. Forget the movie.
Back to Lost in Russia – most of the movie focuses on a late 60-ish mother and middle aged son on a trip from Beijing to Moscow while resolving family (including the wife in New York) differences. What a trip it was. Literally and figuratively. By train, by bus, by foot through a Siberian-looking forest (chased by huge bears), by ship through the Volga, walking on a vast frozen lake and by hot-air balloon, finally landing in front of the Moscow Red Star Theater of Russia just in time for the concert. The mother was a choir member and soloist. This was her great dream. To sing solo on stage to an audience. Their choir was invited to perform in an international musical festival. (To a friend with the Niagara on the Lake – Oying, manuud ka nito. Be inspired and aspire!)
Location scenery through the entire route in winter from Beijing to Moscow was something else. Unmissable is a breathtaking view of Moscow from the hot air balloon. The logistics and the lengths the crew and staff went through to film this was amazing. Very entertaining movie. A slice of life (and scenery) in China and Russia. Some parts far-fetched from life maybe. That’s artistic license for you. But absolutely well done. A thoroughly fun and funny movie.
One interesting thing to note – the movie was expected to be the highest box office hit in China just before its theatre release in January 2020 (or is it December 2019?) but then the coronavirus outbreak happened. Producers, in a flash decision, cancelled the theatre run for now and let it be released on line for free. Brilliant move I say. Even business-wise. (you can research the story online). Their promotional tagline was, more or less, – be safe, stay home with your family and enjoy this online. And lucky me. I got to watch it in full, subtitled in English, and had one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I was chuckling by myself in the middle of a wintry night. What better way to warm up. A perfect escape! Free na nga, from the comfort of your sofa (or bed) pa.
By the way, for anyone interested, you can check out the website Dramacool. This is where I found Lost in Russia. I usually click on full screen so as not to contend with those weird, annoying pop up ads.
After getting back to earth (just as the hot air balloon did), may I segue to a topic near to my head (and heart, I guess) – recycling? Somewhat related to recycling. This is my wish. There must be some way to just refill our laundry detergents or shampoos or lotions instead of piling up empty bottles or jugs of their plastic or glass containers. I’m glad that there is a global move to minimize the use of plastic bags and encourage consumers to bring their own bags. Hooray for that! But more can be done. I would like to see refilling stations from Aveeno or Tide or Gain or all these liquid (and dry) household and toiletry supplies. And those Amazon boxes. We are a household who more often than not order online. Mainly from Amazon. I just hope that someday they can find a way to lessen the use of those cardboard boxes or at least a way to return and re-use them. This is probably a pipe dream. Who knows? Whoever thought we would have internet before. Today, I cannot imagine functioning on a day to day basis without the internet. And I am the least tech-savvy human being on earth. Though it does have its pros and cons. It is said that human beings have lost or diminished their intuitive powers because of our dependence on these gadgets. Boon or bane? Both I’m sure. For me, it’s a question of balance. This is not to say I practice the right balance. Far from it. But I am working on it slowly.
Sustainable fashion is another issue I relate to. Am torn between being on trend and doing my part to preserve the planet. But this is another matter altogether. More of this next time.
I would really welcome any comments and suggestions from readers.
Meanwhile, keep warm and safe.
Tessie O. Taylor
taylorteresita@gmail.com