Mother

maybe a hot take, but I enjoyed this more than Memories of Murder. I love the cinematography especially - not overly flashy, but it’s incredibly deliberate and psychologically attuned to the characters and themes. The subdued, sometimes quietly tense, use of natural lighting was great, effectively reflecting the emotional state of characters. I love how the film features a lot of carefully composed shots that emphasise the isolation and desperation of the mother - often depicted off-centre or in confirmed spaces. The cinematography leans heavily on symbolic imagery also. Objects like the acupuncture needles or the reoccurring use of reflections, are visually emphasised to reinforce themes of truth, concealment and duality. I’m obsessed with the colour palette of this film also - muted and earthy, with lots of greys, browns and pale greens - reflecting the bleakness of the town and the situation. I just adored the ‘dancing in the field scene’, it felt surreal and contrasted the otherwise restrained visuals, emphasising the mother’s emotional disorientation. The cinematography is a perfect example of visual storytelling that enhances the emotional weight without overshadowing the narrative. The film brilliantly plays with the viewers thoughts and what we think we know. I love how Bong Joon-ho balances beauty and horror - it’s such an elegant signature of his style. I am fairly confident this could become a 10/10 with a rewatch. Mid 9/10.  Bong Joon Ho Ranked: (preference)1. Parasite 2. Mother 3. Memories of Murder 4. Mickey 175. Okja