John Hurt believes Bong Joon-ho is the second coming of Alfred Hitchcock: “Much cleverer”
One of the most distinctive British actors in cinema history, the late Sir John Hurt has collaborated with some of the most celebrated directors of all time. From working with fellow knight Sir Ridley Scott on Alien to starring in David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, Hurt’s filmography is studded with legendary names. So, it’s safe to say he knew a thing or two about what good directing looks like.
And just a few years before his death, he added a contemporary icon to his list. Before winning the Academy Award with Parasite, which made Bong Joon-ho a household name, the Korean auteur had created his first English-language film. And, of course, when anyone thinks English, they think John Hurt. So, the uniquely British actor was cast in Bong’s post-apocalyptic political thriller, Snowpiercer. While touring for the release of the film, Hurt discussed his newfound love for the director, going so far as to compare him to the ‘Master of Suspense’, Alfred Hitchcock.
“He is quite different, but technically, he is as clever as Hitchcock. That’s saying something,” Hurt said, which is definitely high praise. Especially considering the fact that Bong has frequently discussed his love for the celebrated filmmaker. In the past, he referred to Hitchcock as the “most original filmmaker of all time” and said he gives him “very strange inspiration”. Plus, the presence of the Hitchcockian thriller is undeniable in Parasite. Bong tells serious stories that blend genres and create palpable tension, not to mention the similarities in the rug pulls in both Parasite and Psycho.
And, as Hurt also points out, both directors are obsessive about the visual language of their films, “Hitchcock was very interested in the image on the screen. As is [Bong]. As is any good cinema director. That is the language they speak. It is not literature; it is images on screen.” Hitchcock was a director of “pure cinema” whose focus remained on visual storytelling, even when the end of silent film allowed the storytelling to become more expositional. This is something that Bong found incredibly inspiring, marvelling at how Hitchcock worked in genre film while remaining dedicated to his visual artistry.
But while Hurt was quick to compare the two singular directors, he also acknowledged their one true difference. “In humanitarian terms, I think [Bong] is much cleverer. He’s one of the best directors I’ve worked with,” he told Eye For Film.
After all, each of Bong’s stories is deeply embedded with the criticism of the social and political landscape of our world, even if they are captured in unique and satirical ways. While Hitchcock’s films often put relationships and philosophical ideas of the self under the microscope, he wasn’t usually trying to make a social commentary with them. On the other hand, Bong’s films demonstrate that he is a deeply committed humanitarian.
So, not only did Hurt compare the Korean director to one of the most influential filmmakers of all time, but he also set him on a rung higher, in a way. Coming from anyone, it’s a huge compliment, but coming from the John Hurt, well, that’s a whole other story. Especially for the young auteur, who has made his view of Hurt very clear—“[He’s] more than just an actor to me.” Yeah, Bong, it turns out he was a major fan, too.
