Embed from Getty Images
Last night Parasite, the sublime South Korean comedy/horror, became the first foreign language film to win best cast at the SAG Awards! Kaiser and I have both seen Parasite and we absolutely love it. It’s funny, it’s scary, it’s deeply moving and is easily one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. (We had a spoiler-free talk on the podcast about it this week, that’s at 20 minutes in.) There’s a lot of talk about whether Parasite will win Best Picture at the Oscars, and we’re really hoping it does. It did take home best picture at Cannes, where it received an eight minute standing ovation. Last night it got a standing ovation just when the film was presented, so it’s obviously beloved by other actors. Given the Academy Awards’ history of rewarding “safe” films, and the fact that Academy members skew older and white, I’m not going to get my hopes up though. Here’s a list of some of the other awards it’s won:
Parasite became the first Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Since then the film has earned more than a dozen awards including Best Picture and Best Director at the 2019 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards and Best Film At Australia’s 9th AACTA International Awards. The film also won Best Picture and Best Screenplay awards at the National Society of Film Critics Awards, then a few days later received Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language at the 77th Golden Globes, the first South Korean film ever to win a Golden Globe. Bong’s tale of economic inequity was not only the first winner of a Golden Globe but also the first South Korean film to be nominated for three Golden Globe Awards.
Fingers crossed for this amazing film. I haven’t seen all the other nominees yet but I’ll hopefully catch up in time for the Oscars, even though they’re coming up so soon this year. Given how exceptional Parasite is, I have a hard time imagining that any other film even comes close.
One of my favorite moments last night was this one, when director Bong Joon-Ha taped his castmembers on his phone as they presented the film as everyone stood up for it.
Bong Joon-ho taping the Parasite cast on stage at the SAGs as his film gets a standing ovation pic.twitter.com/yzRa4YUsB5
— celebitchy (@celebitchy) January 20, 2020
Update: here’s their acceptance speech!
So happy for the Korean recognition! Koreans do some great work in film and especially music.
Agreed! One of the best movies in a looooong time. and Korean humour is just awesome.
I hope it does! Also, they all looked great last night.
Love these pics – everyone seems so genuinely happy. Can’t wait to see this movie!
This was so exciting! Bong Joon Ho has been killing it for so many years and it is amazing to finally see a Korean film breakthrough. Also, we all need to be bringing Bong Joon ho’s 2019-2020 award season energy to this year. Everything he has been saying on this award circuit is 1000% correct.
I love this cast and so happy for them! Parasite is one of the best films of the last 5 years and I am so happy it is getting recognition.
This film is a work of art and should definitely get all the awards.
I’m SOOOOOO happy they won!!!!! Parasite was the best movie of 2019, I have my fingers crossed for the Oscars!
I went to see Parasite last night. It was entertaining, but Oscar worthy….just no. It would be an ok movie to watch at home. What’s the big fuss about?
Apart from Little Women and 1917, it’s the only Oscar worthy, Oscar nominated film this year. The movie ticks all the boxes of what it takes to be a perfect movie. Original – ☑️. Entertaining – ☑️. Both beloved by film snubs and movie going masses – ☑️. Technical aspect – ☑️. Not too straight forward yet not too vague – ☑️. Not Oscar baity ☑️. Perfect casting and acting. No try hard Oscar baity performance – ☑️
it held my atenttion from beginning to end, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole movie, like no other movie has done in a long long time
Does this mean that my boyfriend Park Seo Joon, the guy who gave the scholar rock to Ki Woo, already has a SAG award? He is part of the ensemble.
I think it’s only real competition is 1917
I am really happy for Parasite cast, I looved the movie but mostly who wins PGA – wins main Oscar and it’s 1917. Even if I hated it, it’s not Joker, so I am kinda fine,and it’s not a horrible Green book, with all respect to Mahershala Ali, he was great in it, Green book is one step away from Crush, and it’s the only one good thing about it (and Mahershala Ali).
I loved Marriage Story then my love was overtaken by Little Women and 1917. But been there done that and now I hope Parasite (which I saw this weekend) will take the big prize because it’s a comedy/horror/foreign film and those kinds of films have been snubbed for BP forever and ever. Does anything scream Oscar bait more than 1917? I mean British/war/all male films have had their day- so let’s move on! Still to see:Joker and Bombshell.
The BEST zombie movie ever is also Korean. Train to Busan is phenomenal.
Right?! It’s so good!
Oh man I normally hate Zombie movies but that movie is so good!
if you’re interested in another korean take on the zombie movie, rampant was released last year. it’s an historical movie that mixes zombies and political/court intrigue during the joseon era. it’s a lot of fun-not quite as touching or suspenseful as train to busan, but a very interesting take on the genre.
Absolutely the best best BEST zombie movie ever.
I’m so happy for the cast and even though I haet that none of them were nominated for acting awards, I hope the film wins big at the Oscars. I think their only real competition is 1917.
I’ve been afraid to see it because I can’t handle any horror but I think I’ve just got to suck it up and watch this film. I’m so glad it’s doing well and if it one Best Picture it would save the Oscars from being a completely depressing white and male clusterF$&k.
it’s a different kind of horror (the suspense is there but it’s not the same as a classic murder or dark supernatural film), if it makes you feel a little better.
like at the end I was like this.. :-O I didn’t expect ANY of it ahaha (I love it when a story is not predictable).
it’s so good.
Congratulations!!
A wonderful viewing experience. It will win an oscar. I hope it makes history.
I haven’t seen Parasite but I’ve read about it and it sounds great. I’m just commenting for the Levys. Such beautiful men. Schitt’s Creek deserves more love, it’s much better than Fleabag in my opinion.
Sounds like I need to go see this!
I have been watching Korean movies and dramas for 12 years, they are so good. I never thought I d see the day when a korean movie would be nominated. So proud of the cast, they were excellent. Hopefully, we will be seeing more movies like these in the future, from different parts of the world.
That was lovely. I haven’t seen the movie but I’m always happy when a small movie, especially one featuring actors of colour gets this kind of recognition because I know that everyone involved with the film had to work 10 times as hard to get there.
Congratulations!!
it’s not a “small” movie – it’s just that US film circuit is so insular. everyone involved in parasite is top tier in the respective roles (acting, directing, etc), and the whole world (and I’m hoping the US academy does as well) recognizes the sheer artistry in this also very entertaining film.