MARK TURNER wallows in the virtuosity of Swansea Jazz Festival openers, Simon Spillett and Pete Long
Latest editorial
Politically charged prizewinners
The gongs struck for film-makers tackling big issues at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, says RITA DI SANTO
Film first: Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite
PAUL DONOVAN recommends three new books that explore the human relationship with nature
Doomed adolescents, when the missing person is you, classic whodunnit, and an anti-capitalist eco-thriller
WILL STONE takes a ticket to indie disco heaven, but misses the rarely performed tunes
Reviews of new releases by Jens Lekman, Big Thief, and Christian McBride Big Band
TOM PIERSCIONEK recommends a remarkable series of interviews with those few and brave Israeli citizens who refuse to do military service
WITH a focus on poverty and social inequality, Bong Joon Ho’s darkly satirical thriller Parasite carried off the top Palme d’Or prize in Cannes.
It follows the daily battle of a poor family in Seoul today as they scurry around their squalid basement flat and try to earn money with humiliating jobs.
Their situation starts to improve when they begin working for a rich household but when another poor family appears on the scene, a ferocious war among the have-nots begins. Parasite was certainly the best film in competition, demonstrating that Joon Ho is a major talent.
More from this author
Featuring films with substantial political themes, this year’s festival has ignited a vibrant discussion, suggests RITA DI SANTO
RITA DI SANTO gives us a first look at some extraordinary new films that examine outsiders, migrants, belonging and social abuse
RITA DI SANTO draws attention to an audacious and entertaining film that transplants Tarantino to the Gaza Strip
RITA DI SANTO reports on the films from Iran, Spain, Belgium and Brazil that won the top awards
