Parasite: Live in Concert

Creator/Composer/Performer Jung Jae-il

Sydney Opera Concert Hall

Photo Credit Jay Patel

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

Parasite: Live in Concert

One of the most unusual and intriguing productions of the past twenty years was staged at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. 

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is one of the most acclaimed and awarded films of the century. It was named New York Times’ best film of the 21st century, and won the Cannes Palme d’Or and Academy Award for Best Picture.

At the Opera House, the South Korean film was screened with subtitles. 

An impoverished family is eking out a living folding pizza boxes, and with distractions, isn’t always effective and professional. They’re living in squalid conditions below street level at the end of a dead-end alley in a seedy part of town. 

Their opportunity to break out comes when the son is introduced to a super wealthy family, and to infiltrate they use strategies that would make Machiavelli proud.

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Plot twists are numerous, they’re easy to follow and you can’t look away. The story takes juxtaposition to extremes and the closing scenes make the end of Romeo and Juliet seem cheerful. You will walk out of the theatre believing that karma truly exists. I came home, read Kafka and listened to Wagner and Leonard Cohen just to brighten up and lift my mood.

There's no music score but Jung Jae-il and the 41 piece live orchestra that consists mostly of strings (there are four double basses) provides additional drama to an already gripping, award-winning movie. Jung Jae-il's music, especially the piece played by the orchestra that's led by Jung’s electric guitar during the closing credits, is special. 

It’s pleasing that the Sydney Opera House is hosting really interesting productions like this one. 

It would be worth your while to find out where Parasite: Live in Concert will be playing.