Lee: As far as I know, Director Bong had an actual architect in mind while writing the script, but it didn’t affect the design of Mr. So the dynamic between these three teams and the dynamic of space, they were very much intertwined and I think that combination really created an interesting element to this film. Each character and each team has spaces that they take over that they can infiltrate, and also secret spaces that they don’t know. It’s like its own universe inside this film. I had to really meticulously design the house itself. The interviews have been condensed and edited for clarity. Here, Bong and Lee break down the approach, with exclusive images from the design process. The Park family home is one of the most astounding pieces of production design in recent cinematic memory, and the story behind its creation adds a whole new layer of complexity to Bong’s masterpiece. In truth, Bong asked his production designer to create an “open set,” built on an outdoor lot.
In an interview with IndieWire, Bong described the home as “its own universe inside this film.” He added that he took pleasure in hearing that the famous directors on this year’s Cannes jury - which included Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Kelly Reichardt - were all convinced that the movie took place in a real home. Oscars 2023: Best Animated Feature PredictionsĪccording to Bong, the challenge he gave his “Snowpiercer” production designer was not only to create a believably “visually beautiful” set, but a stage that served the precise needs of his camera, compositions, and characters, while embodying his film’s rich themes. 'Superman & Lois' Paints a Timely, Tarnished Picture of the Man of Steel's HometownĮmmy Predictions: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Split 'Succession' Vote Tees Up 'Squid Game'? So I think the approach is very different.”īong Joon Ho's New Movie with Robert Pattinson and Steven Yeun Starts Filming in England We prioritize blocking and camera angles while architects build spaces for people to actually live in and thus design around people. “I’m not an architect, and I think there’s a difference in how an architect envisions a space and how a production designer does. Park’s house is built by an architect in the story, it wasn’t easy finding the right approach to designing the house,” Lee explained in a translated email interview with IndieWire. In truth, it was the brainchild of “Parasite” production designer Lee Ha Jun. In the movie, this marvel of modern architecture was designed by a fictional architect named Namgoong Hyeonja. Most viewers may not realize that the entire set was built from scratch. Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s Palme d’Or-winning “ Parasite” has been praised for its deep insight into class warfare, but its set design is equally impressive: The movie finds a poor family conning its way into the affluent Park household, gradually taking over their lives, and an estimated 60 percent of “Parasite” takes place in the wealthy Park family home.