SEOUL – In the wake of industrial tragedies like the 2016 Guui Station screen door accident and the 2018 Taean power plant incident, acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho returns with "Mickey 17," a thought-provoking sci-fi film that explores the recurring nature of such disasters and the expendable nature of human life within societal systems.
"There's a sadness and cruelty in how, when these man-made disasters occur, the social system remains unchanged while humans are simply replaced," Bong shared in a recent interview. "Reality is far more complex than any sci-fi film, but through 'Mickey 17,' I wanted to offer a small consolation."
Based on Edward Ashton's novel "Mickey 7," the film is set in the 2050s, when space colonization has begun. Mickey (Robert Pattinson) is an "expendable," a person who volunteers for dangerous missions knowing they will be resurrected through bioprinting if they die. The story follows Mickey as he navigates the ethical dilemmas of his existence, especially when the research team mistakenly creates a duplicate of him.
"In the film, all the dangerous, life-threatening tasks are repeated by one person, but in reality, when a Kim dies, a Park or a Choi simply takes their place," Bong explained. "This bleak situation is encapsulated by the term 'expendable' in the film. I wanted to overcome the despair of 'even if I die on the job, someone else will come, and nothing will change.'"
While Mickey is the protagonist, the character of Marshall (Mark Ruffalo), a dictator, has garnered significant attention. Some critics have drawn parallels between Marshall and figures like Donald Trump or South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. Bong acknowledged the interpretations, stating, "Marshall is a composite of terrible dictators and bad politicians throughout history. I didn't intend to target anyone specific, but I think it's interesting how the film is interpreted differently depending on each country's political situation."
Bong also revealed that he added the character of Marshall's wife to the film, drawing inspiration from couples like the Marcoses of the Philippines and the Ceaușescus of Romania. "I thought it would be both terrifying and funny," he said.
"Mickey 17" has been invited to the Berlin International Film Festival's Special Gala section. Bong explained his decision to decline the competitive section, saying, "I've been fortunate enough to receive awards in the past, and I wanted to give other films a chance. It's more enjoyable and comfortable to screen our film in the non-competitive section."
When asked about the pressure of releasing a new film after the success of "Parasite," Bong replied, "There was no pressure at all. I was able to approach the project calmly and focus on the work itself."
Bong emphasized the importance of watching "Mickey 17" in theaters, stating, "You'll regret it if you don't see it on the big screen. There are spectacular scenes, but also nuanced performances that are best appreciated in a theater setting. The anticipation and excitement of waiting for a film to be released is a precious part of cinema."
"Mickey 17" will be released in South Korea on February 28th.
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