Parasite's Perfect Montage

Summary

This video analyzes director Bong Joon-ho's masterful use of rhythm and pacing in his film 'Parasite,' particularly highlighting a montage about 40 minutes in. The sequence, with its precise editing and cinematography, showcases Bong's ability to control tone and tempo, essential for conveying the film's shifting dynamics. The video also examines how Bong and editor Jin-mo Yang manipulate time and space to enhance the storytelling, creating an immersive experience. Ultimately, the montage reflects both the family's control in the plot and the director's control over his craft.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Bong Joon-ho is a filmmaker obsessed with rhythm, which is a key element in all of his films.
• 🎥 In 'Parasite,' Bong masterfully uses rhythm to guide viewers through the story, creating an immersive experience.
• 📈 The film's pacing is carefully controlled, allowing for bold tonal shifts that work seamlessly within the narrative.
• 🕰️ A standout sequence in 'Parasite' is a montage about 40 minutes in, consisting of 60 shots over five minutes, showcasing Bong's precise control of rhythm.
• 🎞️ The montage occurs at the end of Act 1, as the poor family enacts a plan to replace the rich family's housekeeper.
• ⚡ The montage's tempo increases with each con the poor family pulls, bringing the act to a dramatic crescendo.
• 🖼️ Bong uses selective slow motion, linear camera moves, and classical music to enhance the balletic flow of the montage.
• 🎶 Editor Jin-mo Yang played a significant role in shaping the sequence by fine-tuning the rhythm and editing techniques.
• 🧠 The sequence not only demonstrates technical mastery but also symbolizes the poor family's control and cunning in the story.
• ⚖️ The montage highlights the theme that even the most perfectly executed plans can unravel, setting up the story's later downfall.

Q & A

What makes Bong Joon-ho's filmmaking style unique in 'Parasite'?

Bong Joon-ho is obsessed with rhythm, and in 'Parasite', he perfects this by meticulously controlling the pacing of the film. The combination of editing, camerawork, sound design, and music creates a seamless, immersive experience that helps the bold tonal shifts land effectively.

Why is the pacing important in Bong Joon-ho's films?

The pacing is crucial because it allows Bong Joon-ho to manage complex tonal shifts, keeping the viewer engaged without losing them in the transition. In 'Parasite', this attention to rhythm ensures that even as the film moves between drama, comedy, and thriller, it feels cohesive.

How does Bong Joon-ho use montage in 'Parasite'?

Bong Joon-ho uses montage to convey complex plans efficiently, especially during a sequence where the poor family tries to oust the housekeeper. The montage distills 60 shots into five minutes, advancing the plot while building tension and demonstrating the characters' cunning.

What role does classical music play in the key montage of 'Parasite'?

Classical music, specifically a piece by Handel, is used to enhance the rhythmic and balletic quality of the montage. It adds an operatic feel to the sequence, elevating the tension and reinforcing the controlled, orchestrated nature of the poor family's plan.

How does Bong Joon-ho foreshadow later moments in the montage?

Bong Joon-ho uses selective shots that offer information and subtly foreshadow future events in the film. These moments, which reference back and forth between shots, contribute to the complexity and interconnectedness of the sequence.

What editing techniques are used to enhance the pacing of the montage?

The editor, Jin Mo Yang, used slow motion, linear camera moves, and even stitching together two shots to get the perfect pacing. This manipulation ensures the sequence flows smoothly and hits the right emotional beats at the right time.

How does the montage highlight the poor family's ability to control events?

The montage showcases the pinnacle of the poor family's cunning and control as they successfully execute their plan to remove the housekeeper. The smoothness of the sequence reflects their confidence in manipulating the situation to their advantage.

How does the montage reference Hitchcock’s influence?

Bong Joon-ho incorporates a visual nod to Hitchcock by showing the poor father literally taking the rich mother for a ride, symbolizing the manipulation and control he exerts over her, much like Hitchcock's use of suspenseful, controlled scenes.

What does the shift in the story after the montage signify?

The montage represents the peak of the poor family's success, but immediately afterward, in Act 2, the narrative shifts and the family's carefully constructed plan begins to unravel. This signifies that their success was fragile and built on cruelty, foreshadowing their eventual downfall.

What role did editor Jin Mo Yang play in shaping the montage?

Jin Mo Yang played a critical role in refining the rhythm of the montage, finessing the pacing by intercutting locations and minimizing repetition of lines. His fine-tuning helped give the sequence its bounce and fluidity, ensuring it felt like a cohesive conversation.