Naomi Ackie also stars as Nasha, a character Bong describes as essential to the film’s emotional core
Bong Joon Ho, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has insisted that his success at the 2020 Academy Awards hasn’t increased the pressure on his creative process. Parasite made history as the first non-English language film to win the Best Picture award, and it also took home Best Director, International Film, and Original Screenplay.
However, in an interview with The Guardian, the 55-year-old director stated that his Oscar triumph has not altered his approach to filmmaking. “It changes nothing,” he said, emphasizing that his work remains grounded despite the recognition.
While the accolades did not add pressure, Bong acknowledged that his success likely contributed to a larger budget for his latest project, Mickey 17. The sci-fi film, which is reported to have cost 10 times more than Parasite, also benefited from a diverse international cast.
Despite these changes, Bong insists that the pressure he feels is not related to his previous successes. “The biggest thing [during production] was, as I’m getting older, I feel a bit weaker, and my stamina is not as strong, so I have to fight against my ageing body and mind,” he shared, referencing the challenges of being a middle-aged filmmaker.
Mickey 17 stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, a character who is repeatedly cloned after dying on a space-colonizing mission. Bong expressed his pride in casting Pattinson, saying, “He was truly the nucleus of this story. I can’t even imagine this film without Rob. I’m also quite proud of myself for thinking of him for this role.”
Naomi Ackie also stars as Nasha, a character Bong describes as essential to the film’s emotional core. “Without Nasha’s strength, this film would be so much more difficult to watch. And Naomi was the perfect actor for that,” he added. The director noted that Mickey 17 explores societal fears surrounding AI and advanced technology, but with an optimistic message. He explained, “I wanted to show that amid such anxiety, fear, and pessimism, people like Mickey – just, y’know, everyday people – somehow get through.”
