The Storm
How Parasite illustrates this pandemic through the storm in their story. Movie spoilers ahead.
In Parasite, shortly after the halfway mark, a storm arrives that coincides with a major twist in the movie. Without going into deep spoilers, the jarring dynamic between how the Kim’s and the Park’s experience the storm is a huge force in the movie that directly impacts how an explosive ending to the story was made possible through what was the first domino that was the storm.
The storm itself didn’t seem to be much of a major event initially as in the Park home, people inside are able to stay dry and clean, sheltered from it’s true effects. We see that the Park family themselves are also able to take it without much issue, as it does cancel a camping trip but the son is still able to have a half-decent camping experience in his own front yard later that night.
Later, we see that the storm is devastating for the Kim family as they scatter out of the Park home and descend the streets ill equipped with either clothing or vehicle to stay dry. When they reach their home, they realize just how desperate things become as their entire home is destroyed and essentially all their belongings are gone. It makes the Kim father realize that no amount of planning can stand against the forces of life that are capable of wiping everything away in an instant as there simply isn’t enough protection or resources for the Kim’s situation.
In some sense, this is a representation of a tale as old as time and what we are experiencing through COVID-19 is another storm that is pouring at the moment and in what could be a period that brings us together, instead we’re once again likely to see a movement where the haves have more and the have nots continue to struggle.
For those that hold jobs fully capable of being worked from home, with companies that have a resilient business model, that stored up a sizable reserve of cash, they will likely be fine through this time. And for the shareholders of these companies, they will also make it through this period with little more than the inconvenience of witnessing slightly modified forecasts on returns and performance. In fact, similar to how the Park’s were able to plan a party for their son as a result of a canceled camping trip, it’s likely that the wealthy will use this opportunity to leverage their knowledge, access, and resources to make an attempt to turn it into a positive outcome for themselves.
On the other hand, for those operating in the areas of services, nonessential business, or otherwise dependent on social contact for income, this time can be devastating — wiping away years of growth, investment, and effort for something that is a large part outside of their ability to plan for or control. And while the government is moving to help families and small businesses with stimulus checks and loans, this really only keeps them in a position to make ends meet, all while a capitalistic world continues to move forward in service of those that are in position to keep the engine moving for their gain.
In short, it’s important to have perspective around what the effects of COVID-19 are on a wealth gap already at historic proportions and if this is collectively the world we desire for given where we are headed. In the meantime, let’s be kind to each other as everyone is experiencing these times in different ways, and do what we can to be helpful towards one another.
