Your posts are often enigmatic and riddlesome, Mecha. I'm afraid on this occasion I miss the Alec Baldwin reference. Although every post should probably have an Alec Baldwin reference.

Well the fabulous South Korean film Parasite - which I have been tirelessly pimping since I saw it in a packed theatre several months ago - has just opened in limited release in the US after doing smashing business in other territories and seems set to be one of the most successful non-English releases in many years. Fingers are crossed that this is indeed a breakout hit and makes it through to awards season, for this is a special film indeed.

Indiewire

Overall you may be correct - there was a rush of ‘event’ foreign language movies in the early to mid 2000s. They are still out there - last year I believe the likes of Shoplifters and Burning managed to find an audience beyond that of your average non-English title. But, for those who do not live in or near a big city; they must be difficult to track down.

Regarding Roma, I’d go a step further and suggest that, without the anticipation/sense of prestige created by having Cuaron’s name attached not to mention Netflix and its big bucks, it would not have scored so highly with the critics along with audiences. Wildly over praised film IMO.

@mechajutaro said:

Meant to provide a point of reference

I still don't feel enlightened. But it's not often I get an excuse to watch the trailer to The Shadow.

I did get your Adele joke in the Falling Down thread though. If that's any consolation. It took me a few seconds, but it did click.

@rudely_murray said:

Well the fabulous South Korean film Parasite - which I have been tirelessly pimping since I saw it in a packed theatre several months ago - has just opened in limited release in the US after doing smashing business in other territories and seems set to be one of the most successful non-English releases in many years. Fingers are crossed that this is indeed a breakout hit and makes it through to awards season, for this is a special film indeed.

Indiewire

Overall you may be correct - there was a rush of ‘event’ foreign language movies in the early to mid 2000s. They are still out there - last year I believe the likes of Shoplifters and Burning managed to find an audience beyond that of your average non-English title. But, for those who do not live in or near a big city; they must be difficult to track down.

Regarding Roma, I’d go a step further and suggest that, without the anticipation/sense of prestige created by having Cuaron’s name attached not to mention Netflix and its big bucks, it would not have scored so highly with the critics along with audiences. Wildly over praised film IMO.

I had heard of Parasite but hadn't looked into it. The whole culture class thing sounds very interesting. I've added it to my watch list.

Alas, I didn't like Burning very much. I found that stylistically it was so similar to so many other art films out there while that whole obsession theme with the suggestion that it's all in his head seemed derivative. And I am a huge fan of Haruki Murakami, I've read many of his books but of the two film adaptations I've seen, neither seems to capture his tone. I haven't read the story that Burning is based on, but the adaptations seem to be quite cold and alienating. And that's not Murakami's style at all. But regardless of the film's quality, I think the reason that film had a higher profile than most foreign films is because of the presence of The Walking Dead's Steven Yuen. Had he not been in it, would it still have broken out the way it did?

@JustinJackFlash said:

I had heard of Parasite but hadn't looked into it. The whole culture class thing sounds very interesting. I've added it to my watch list.

Alas, I didn't like Burning very much. I found that stylistically it was so similar to so many other art films out there while that whole obsession theme with the suggestion that it's all in his head seemed derivative. And I am a huge fan of Haruki Murakami, I've read many of his books but of the two film adaptations I've seen, neither seems to capture his tone. I haven't read the story that Burning is based on, but the adaptations seem to be quite cold and alienating. And that's not Murakami's style at all. But regardless of the film's quality, I think the reason that film had a higher profile than most foreign films is because of the presence of The Walking Dead's Steven Yuen. Had he not been in it, would it still have broken out the way it did?

Parasite is truly an original -- I urge you to avoid trailers (a lot of spoilers in there) or reviews and, if you have the chance, see it with an audience. It is not only an incredible experience but also a genuine crowd-pleaser - uproariously funny, twisty and shocking, sometimes within the same scene. The less you know going in the better. I honestly feel that this has massive breakout potential.

I liked Burning a lot, although not to the same degree. Murakami's books can go either way for me -- I have loved a couple but found a couple of others hard to get through. He is extremely hard to film - I certainly think that this one comes closer to his style/tone than Toni Takitani or Norwegian Wood. I agree that Yuen's presence helped to get it seen, but I do think that word of mouth and its Cannes prizes helped.

Far and away the best representation of Murikami's work which I have seen is the brilliant theatre production of Kafka on the Shore which I was lucky enough to see a few years ago and is one of the greatest theatrical experiences I have ever had.

@rudely_murray said:

Parasite is truly an original -- I urge you to avoid trailers (a lot of spoilers in there) or reviews and, if you have the chance, see it with an audience. It is not only an incredible experience but also a genuine crowd-pleaser - uproariously funny, twisty and shocking, sometimes within the same scene. The less you know going in the better. I honestly feel that this has massive breakout potential.

I liked Burning a lot, although not to the same degree. Murakami's books can go either way for me -- I have loved a couple but found a couple of others hard to get through. He is extremely hard to film - I certainly think that this one comes closer to his style/tone than Toni Takitani or Norwegian Wood. I agree that Yuen's presence helped to get it seen, but I do think that word of mouth and its Cannes prizes helped.

Far and away the best representation of Murikami's work which I have seen is the brilliant theatre production of Kafka on the Shore which I was lucky enough to see a few years ago and is one of the greatest theatrical experiences I have ever had.

Murukami is definitely hard to film. I was so disappointed with the Norwegian Wood adap. I wasn't aware of Toni Takitani. I might give that a go.

I've read Kafka on the Shore. The theatre production does sound like a great experience. I really should start going to the theatre, but I wouldn't know where to start. Unlike cinema I'm not theatrically aware in any way and haven't been since going to panto type stuff when I was a kid.

@JustinJackFlash said:

I've read Kafka on the Shore. The theatre production does sound like a great experience. I really should start going to the theatre, but I wouldn't know where to start. Unlike cinema I'm not theatrically aware in any way and haven't been since going to panto type stuff when I was a kid.

I found Toni Takitani an absolute bore but it did get some very favourable reviews and it's quite short, so do check it out.

LOL my partner works in theatre, which is why I am (relatively) versed these days. Prior to moving to Singapore I lived in London for almost 15 years during which time I think I saw maybe two major shows.

The adaptation of Kafka on the Shore, which is one of my favourite novels, was just sensational, a visually overwhelming experience with stunning sets, and it captured the novel's tone and themes beautifully. Even having actors dressed as cats (complete with oversized testicles) worked perfectly. Hopefully it tours again one of these days and you may get the chance to catch it, somewhere or other.

HAHA even as a kid I always hated panto. I was always dragged to one, each year, though!

@rudely_murray said:

The adaptation of Kafka on the Shore, which is one of my favourite novels, was just sensational, a visually overwhelming experience with stunning sets, and it captured the novel's tone and themes beautifully. Even having actors dressed as cats (complete with oversized testicles) worked perfectly. Hopefully it tours again one of these days and you may get the chance to catch it, somewhere or other.

Is it in English? Or do they subtitle it somehow? Is there some other way of watching it? Like do they film theatre shows it and release them on DVD?

I read a really good Murakami novel recently: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. It was one of his recent ones. It was very good, and was pretty short so it's quick to read. Not like his huge, epic novels. I recommend you give it a go.

@JustinJackFlash said:

Is it in English? Or do they subtitle it somehow? Is there some other way of watching it? Like do they film theatre shows it and release them on DVD?

I read a really good Murakami novel recently: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. It was one of his recent ones. It was very good, and was pretty short so it's quick to read. Not like his huge, epic novels. I recommend you give it a go.

It was in Japanese with English subtitles. I don't know about any DVD release but it's worth having a hunt for it, you never know!

I wasn't aware of this more recent novel, I shall definitely check it out, thanks for the recommendation! I have to admit I bailed on IQ84 a couple of hundred pages in -- I found that thing impenetrable and just too long to devote so much time to - but have liked or loved everything else of his I've read.