japan and south korea: themes in cinema
- Caleb Stevenson
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Seven Samurai (1954), South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3269534/why-japanese-director-akira-kurosawas-epic-seven-samurai-still-breathtaking-70
Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954) inspired the plots of various films, including The Magnificent Seven
(1960 and 2016), A Bug's Life (1998) and The Seven Magnificent Gladiators (1983). Seven Samurai is one of the most influential movies of all time and has inspired generations of filmmakers across the globe.
Table of contents
bold visions
Asian cinema, specifically in Japan and South Korea, has produced some of the most influential movies of all time. Films from Asia are often diverse and surreal. They are artistic and explore realistic themes such as vengeance and poverty. These themes change lives, inspire, and send powerful messages through film. Asian cinema is bold in its storytelling and challenges traditional narratives. Directors such as Akira Kurosawa revolutionized cinematic perspective, while Bong Joon Ho blends multiple genres, creating unique elements. Through this level of experimentation, filmmakers from Asia present familiar themes in new and thought-provoking ways.
Oldboy (2003) - south korea
"Be it a rock or a grain of sand, in water they sink as the same." "돌이든 모래든 물에 가라앉기는 마찬가지다."
Oldboy is part of a trilogy of revenge films directed by Park Chan-wook. A man is held captive for 15 years before he escapes to hunt down his kidnappers. The road he follows is a one-way trip; there is no turning back.
Ironically, the movie is hypnotizing. The action choreography and the color grading glue attention to the screen. It's impossible to look away, even in the darkest moments.
There is also the impressive performance by Choi Min-sik, who plays the main protagonist. He ate live octopi and performed the hallway scene for three days to get it in one continuous shot. The story is immortal; it cannot be forgotten.
There are consequences to revenge, and it's realistic to end up in a worse place than before. The film's ending emphasizes this with one of the greatest twists of all time. The conclusion is completely disgusting, which makes it perfect. It questions morals, hurts, and feels like an utter betrayal. Both characters have terrible fates. They are destroyed by the end, torn apart, with one of them not understanding why.
The journey is long, and the main character's exhaustion is palpable on screen. However, through the entire story, he perseveres. He is a broken man and will do anything to regain the life he lost. This is what makes the ending so heartbreaking, because he somehow loses even more. There is no clearer message about revenge than in Oldboy. Without having to live through it, a lesson is permanently learned.
Parasite (2019) - South Korea
"With no plan, nothing can go wrong. And if something spins out of control, it doesn't matter." "계획이 없으면, 잘못될 일도 없어. 그리고 뭔가 통제 불능이 되어도 상관없어."
Bong Joon Ho's masterpiece, Parasite, follows the lives of the Kim family trapped in the poverty of South Korea. Their only way out is through manipulation and lies, which leads to an unforgiving fate.
There is a dark contrast between the rich and the poor. The Kim's home is practically just a basement in a crowded, dirty alley. The struggle of living in a place like this is apparent and stabs the soul. On the other hand, there is the Park family. They are wealthy and successful, living in a mansion atop a hill.
Symbolic metaphors for class division are plastered throughout the film. The rich, living on a hill, are above everyone. The poor, living in basements, are physically below ground. The two families are also polar opposites. The Kims are dirty and manipulative, while the Parks are clean and focused.
The Parks often comment on a "scent" they smell on each member of the Kims. The poor stink to them. The stench is a boundary between them. This boundary makes it impossible for the Kims to ever be associated with wealth. They become delusional in thinking that they can, and in the method they use.
Fueled by true experiences from Bong Joon Ho's childhood, Parasite is emotionally captivating. Every shot is beautiful and reflective of the story. Some moments are thrilling, funny, and downright depressing. However, it all works. Parasite is a sincere message from a man who lived through the story.
dreams (1990) - japan
"The sun is shining, but it's raining." "晴れているのに雨が降っている。"
Akira Kurosawa is well known for the previously mentioned Seven Samurai (1954) and RAN (1985), but his film, Dreams, is often underappreciated. The story is broken up into an anthology. A boy has multiple dreams throughout his life that represent fears and different meanings.
Through the 8 different dreams, a specific theme is transparent. "The Blizzard" follows a group hiking through an incredibly snowy mountain. They search for a camp, with their sight stretching no further than their toes. One by one, they drop; however, resilience summons a spirit to guide them.
This dream is set during adolescence in the boy's life. The theme of resilience, in a situation of uncertainty, reflects his fear of adulthood.
Another dream, The Tunnel, symbolizes war trauma. The boy is seen as an adult war general, watching in horror as his dead troops walk through a dark tunnel towards him. He is overwhelmed with guilt, feeling responsible for all those deaths. Considering that the movie reflects Kurosawa's childhood dreams, this is heartbreaking.
There is a lesson to be learned in every short. Some are emotional, scary, and even beautiful. The cinematography's aesthetic reflects exactly what the title refers to. It feels like a journey into another person's mind, experiencing their inner thoughts. The ambiance and soundtrack fit each story flawlessly. It feels like an honor to experience any of Kurosawa's films.
House (1977) - japan
"That's out of date. Step aside. This is a karate movie!" "それは時代遅れよ。どいて。空手映画なんだから！"
Nobuhiko Obayashi brought a truly vivid idea to life with House. A girl skips out on spending time with her father and his new lover to visit her aunt's mansion with a group of her friends. As they arrive, a haunting truth is soon revealed.
The dream-like plot is fueled by surrealism. The visuals are almost psychedelic, cracking through the screen. The world slowly breaks apart as the movie reveals what it truly is.
Creativity thrives in this film. Every scene is full of vibrant colors and dimensional depth. House is comparable to an art gallery, and beautiful all the way through. The film is often silly, but it also has moments of pure terror. Its genre is unique in how it can change in the blink of an eye.
The main characters each have a specific niche. Their personalities are defined by one thing, such as karate or a love of food. Each has a moment to shine, using their passions to move the story forward. They make every scene memorable, with each one featuring a dignified moment.
House has so many attentive factors; each shot can be analyzed. The film is very experimental, but everything works. The story resembles a mesmerizing nightmare, impossible to forget.
終わり - The End
The storytelling in Japan and South Korea is powerful and continues to stand the test of time. Films from Asia push boundaries while offering fresh perspectives on existing genres. From bold visual styles to deeply human themes, it's clear that the influence of these films extends beyond their countries of origin. As more audiences discover their impact, they will continue to leave a lasting mark on filmmakers and viewers around the world.
Which of these films sounded most interesting to you?
Oldboy (2003)
Parasite (2019)
Dreams (1990)
House (1977)
Which of the previously mentioned filmmakers do you think has had the biggest impact on global cinema?
Akira Kurosawa (Japan)
Bong Joon Ho (South Korea)
Park Chan-wook (South Korea)
Nobuhiko Obayashi (Japan)
Well, looks like I have some cinema to enjoy! This was a great article. I have been on the fence with some of these films but now with a great summary and with this "inside baseball" type of blog, has most definitely moved me to the "Must watch"