Parasite shocked the world – or at least the film fanatic part of it – by taking home one of the biggest SAG Awards over the weekend. Only the second foreign language film to ever be nominated for the Outstanding Cast award, the Korean film became its recipient to the tune of a standing ovation.
The win was surprising enough, especially considering the subtly racist move of not offering individual nominations for any of the actors despite providing nominations for top awards in every show. But the fact that the entire room stood up to applaud the cast went they came out to present suggests Parasite is more widely viewed and respected than audiences may have suspected.
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Parasite Has Infected American Audiences – And We’re Grateful
It didn’t only win for its cast (although, again, I would be remiss if I didn’t hammer home how it deserved individual nominations) over the weekend, though. It also took home Film Editing at the ACE Eddie Awards on Friday, which is another history-making turn in the film’s underdog saga.
Of course, 1917 can’t be discounted in the Oscars race, considering that it won at the Producers Guild Awards – and that it wasn’t eligible for the SAG thanks to a late release date. But there’s no doubt that Parasite now has a much bigger change of winning awards other than Foreign Language Film, which it presumably has in the bag.
Director Bong Joon Ho is also in talks to run an HBO limited series based on the film, alongside Adam McKay (Succession). It’s certainly a movie that has permeated the cultural consciousness, and it comes on the heels of an ever-growing Hallyu wave that has exposed American consumers to Korean pop culture. Hopefully this success will pave the way for other countries to experience success. After all, as the director himself said, “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”
Have you witnessed the masterpiece that is Parasite yet? Which film are you rooting for at the Oscars? Let us know in the comments below.
