Park Chan-wook names the definitive Alfred Hitchcock movie
Park Chan-wook, one of the 21st century’s most prominent auteurs, is celebrated for his distinctly modern style and bold exploration of taboo subjects. However, if it weren’t for his favourite Alfred Hitchcock film, he might never have pursued a career as a director. Hitchcock’s influence played a pivotal role in shaping Park’s cinematic vision and passion for filmmaking.
Originally studying philosophy at university and intent on being an art critic after joining photography and film clubs, Chan-wook only pursued a career in filmmaking once he had seen Alfred Hitchcock’s “most representative” film. Enthralled by the meeting of craft and the depth of thought in the portly Englishman’s work, he saw his future open up.
Chan-wook would go on to direct one of the most iconic trilogies in cinematic history, the unofficially titled Vengeance Trilogy. He is cherished by critics and audiences alike for his fearless exploration of dark themes and the creation of visually atmospheric worlds. Known for his intricate, labyrinthine narratives and brutal depictions of violence, his films often delve into philosophical questions, blending thought-provoking content with striking cinematic style.
And the film we have to thank for all of this is, of course, Hitchcock’s magnum opus Vertigo. A 1958 psychological thriller based on the novel D’entre les morts—The Living and The Dead—by Boileau-Narcejac, it has been recognised as one of the greatest films of all time. The movie’s influence on Chan-wook’s filmography is clear, notably the dizzyingly complex narratives, claustrophobic settings, and themes of the ‘wrong man’.
When asked by That Shelf if Hitchcock had any influence on his career, Chan-wook stated, “First and foremost, the film that made me decide to become a filmmaker was Hitchcock’s Vertigo… When I first started to study film properly, I drew a great deal of influence from Hitchcock. Of course, when I became a filmmaker, I went on my own path, but certainly, during his period of studying, he was a big source of inspiration”.
So, this influence isn’t one that Chan-wook seeks to shrug off. In fact, his 2022 neo-noir film Decision to Leave is seen by many to be a reframing of Vertigo’s detective diptych blueprint. While a head-spinning whodunnit is central to both films, it’s the exploration of the destructive and transcendent effect of human desire that truly links the films in viewers’ minds.
However, shades of Hitchcock can be glimpsed throughout Park Chan-wook’s filmography, with Stoker being seen as on par with the original horror auteur. Even something as unexpected as the vengeance epic Oldboy has been compared to Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. However, this overidentification can be viewed as bordering on conspiracy theory and an over-identification with the South Korean director’s influences. Especially given the fact that Chan-wook himself cites plenty of other influences and is now recognised as one of the greats in his own right.
Interestingly, Park Chan-wook has been cited as one of Quentin Tarantino’s favourite directors, yet the American director has been vocal about his disregard for Hitchcock, even going so far as to claim that Vertigo “doesn’t really turn you on“. So, in a roundabout way, Park Chan-wook can be seen to reconcile two of the greats through his modern interpretations of Hitchcockian elements.
