‘Parasite’ Black-And-White Version Gets U.S. Release Date Via Neon

Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” has become a phenomenon, making $148 million worldwide and garnering six Oscar nominations. Although, many audiences are still trying to catch up with Bong’s instant classic, the director has not been shy in his desire to eventually release a black and white version of the film. In fact, the black and white version of “Parasite” was created prior to the film’s premiere in Cannes. Bong claims being inspired by F.W Murnau’s 1922 silent horror movie, Nosferatu and others.

Bong has set up the world premiere for this Black and White version at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam at the end of January. The film will then come Stateside, as NEON is teaming up with the Film at Lincoln Center in New York and the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles to release a black and white version of “Parasite.” Both are set to premiere in Los Angeles on January 31st and at the Walter Reade Theater in New York on January 30th.

“I’m extremely happy to present “Parasite” in black and white and have it play on the big screen,” said Bong. “It will be fascinating to see how the viewing experience changes when an identical film is presented in black and white. I watched the black and white version twice now, and at times the film felt more like a fable and gave me the strange sense that I was watching a story from old times.”

He added, “The second time I watched it, the film felt more realistic and sharp as if I was being cut by a blade. It also further highlighted the actors’ performances and seemed to revolve more around the characters. I had many fleeting impressions of this new version, but I do not wish to define them before it is presented. I hope everyone in the audience can compare their own experiences from the color version and find their own path to Parasite in black and white.”

I loved the colors in “Parasite,” but am intrigued by this black and white version. The fact that Bong and his DP extraordinaire Hong Gyeong-Pyo (“Burning”) went through every single shot to make sure the B&W conversion was to their liking, means this is a legitimate attempt. Parasite recently made history at the SAG Awards by becoming the first foreign language film to ever win Outstanding Performance by a Cast. This ensuingly turned Bong’s film into a major contender to win Best Picture at the Oscars come February 9th.