“All masterworks”: Bong Joon-ho names his three favourite Martin Scorsese movies
There’s a lot of backslapping and love-ins in Hollywood that can come across as sycophantic, but the bond shared by Bong Joon-ho and Martin Scorsese is anything but, with the endearing connection between the two leading to standing ovations and more than a few tears in the eyes.
Of course, there aren’t many modern filmmakers who aren’t inspired by Scorsese in one way or another, with the elder statesman of prestige drama continuing to crank out phenomenal features into his 80s, even if Killers of the Flower Moon gave him the rare distinction of directing two movies that each secured ten Academy Award nominations and went home empty-handed, more than 20 years after Gangs of New York.
A legacy isn’t based entirely on how full the trophy cabinet is, though, with Scorsese’s impact and influence stretching so far and wide that he’s been a pivotal part of Joon-ho’s own journey that’s taken him from Korean creature features to the summit of the industry, where he made a point of thanking the legendary filmmaker along the way.
When Parasite won the trophies for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Original Screenplay’, and ‘Best International Feature Film’, he quoted Scorsese’s soundbite “the most personal is the most creative” when collecting his directorial prize, which saw those in the audience rise to their feet and give the Taxi Driver and The Wolf of Wall Street megaphone-wielder an ovation of his own, which left him visibly moved.
Scorsese responded in kind by writing a letter to Joon-ho, although he wouldn’t be drawn on what it contained. “I can’t tell you what the letter said because it’s something personal,” he explained. “But towards the end he wrote, ‘You’ve done well. Now rest. But don’t rest for too long.'”
He didn’t quite heed those words of wisdom, seeing as his Parasite follow-up, Mickey 17, will be released six years later, but the mutual appreciation is there for all to see. With that in mind, it must have been agonising for Joon-ho to settle on his three favourite Scorsese movies, but he managed to do it anyway, describing them to the Toronto International Film Festival as “all masterworks.”
1985’s black comedy After Hours doesn’t often get a look-in when discussing Scorsese’s greatest features, but it does when Joon-ho is involved. Goodfellas is an almost inevitable selection whenever any high-profile figure discusses their admiration of the master’s best efforts, but the Snowpiercer and Okja helmer holds a special place for Raging Bull, and not just because of its technical merits.
While the “amazing camerawork” and “beautiful black-and-white cinematography” are mentioned, Joon-ho also celebrates the classic biographical drama as “a portrait of human complexities and weakness.” Not just that, but from his perspective, “only Scorsese could paint such a portrait,” and it’s impossible to argue otherwise.
