Posted by Larry Gleeson

South Korean Film Director Bong Joon Ho has released Mickey 17, in theatres now. In addition, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is opening an exhibition March 23rd, 2025, Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho, examining the genre-bending works of Bong and its direct international impact on the growth of South Korean cinema. Bong’s first directorial debut was in 2000 with Barking Dogs Never Bite. Since then, Bong’s films have contributed to a deeper understanding of class consciousness and the cultural divide existing therein.

In conjunction with the Academy Museum’s exhibition Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho, is a retrospective of the director’s first seven feature films, kicking off with a special screening of John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), a genre classic that influenced Bong’s dark, subversive style.

This series also examines the artistic styles of Bong’s genre-bending mastery, “excavating the dense subject matter explored in his body of work, formulated with dilemmas, horror, humor, and shifting tonality.” (Hyesung ii)

For more information on Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho check out the Academy Museum’s Exhibition page here,

Until next time, I’ll see you at the movies!