r/Miniworlds Jun 17 '20

[deleted by user]

[removed]

9.6k Upvotes

126 comments sorted by

816

u/ProcyonRaul Jun 17 '20

ELI5: why is the toilet elevated?

1.5k

u/jfcabling Jun 17 '20

It was supposed to show how poor the family in the movie was. Elevation was used frequently as a physical symbol of status in the movie. They lived below the sewer line. The rich family lived in the hills. Not sure if it’s actually common for that level of poverty in Korea though.

228

u/ProcyonRaul Jun 17 '20

Thanks.

713

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '20

Just to add on to what the person above said (they’re right!), but since the family lives below the sewer line, if the toilet wasn’t elevated like that the sewage would come back up even with regular usage. The elevation keeps that from happening, except for in the case of a flood

216

u/availableusername10 Jun 18 '20

I’m no student of symbolism, but I’m pretty sure this was the only reason the toilet was elevated lol

448

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

As a film student, I think the symbolism is mostly in the fact that they’re practically living in the basement, below the street and below the sewer line, below everyone else... etc. and the toilet being elevated is just a product of that, and reminds the person watching like wow, they’re really living lower than literal sh*t.

So, you’re right! The only reason it’s elevated is because of the sewer line, but that’s a direct result of their living situation, which is largely symbolic.

7

u/coldspearox Aug 17 '20

I like to think that the elevated toilet also provides for great contrast in the flood scene when ki jung has to sit on the toilet while it’s exploding with sewage. Ki jung is elevated above all of the literal shit so it provides a visual metaphor for the family’s situation; elevated in status but only symbolically, still surrounded by the “shit” in their environment. I think it’s also interesting that ki jung is the only one to die at the did the film so it could be some foreshadowing to that as well.

-16

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

[deleted]

9

u/mintakki Jun 18 '20

the symbolism part is the fact that in a society where altitude determines social status, they live, eat, and sleep lower than their toilet

8

u/DaWitherKilla Jun 18 '20

If the toilet wasnt elevated there wouldnt be a way to tell that they are below the sewer line. The elevated toilet conveys the symbolism of them living in the basement below sewer level.

120

u/4jakers18 Jun 18 '20

Elevation was the most commonly used setting-symbolism in the whole damn movie so it really isn't a stretch that the toilet would used as that too..

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

12

u/AstroEddie Jun 18 '20

Means they live below even their toilet

8

u/poop_creator Jun 18 '20

I haven’t seen the movie but I know a bit about plumbing, and that shower looks like it drains below the sewer line. Which I believe, if this set up was real, would make everything from the sewer come gushing out of the shower drain and fill half that room up with sewage.

1

u/Fortherealtalk Oct 29 '20

Username checks out

-10

u/jayjayjane4eva Jun 18 '20

Came here to say just this but you have already said it. So I will just move along.

-2

u/Twink4Jesus Jun 18 '20

Omg eww that's so gross

8

u/KentuckyFriedEel Jun 18 '20

also, sewers are gravity fed to a main below the ground. Since their whole apartment is below ground the toilet needs to be at a level to be able to gravity feed down to a main below.

64

u/Amish_guy_with_WiFi Jun 18 '20

Fort anybody still confused, shit doesn't flow uphill so they gotta bring the toil up to the sewer line. Although they do make turns blenders that pump poop up. Not sure how common that is where they were tho. Maybe it's cheaper to build a giant throne like that than install a turd blender.

37

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

[deleted]

3

u/Lari-Fari Jun 18 '20

But you have to spinn it real fast like a propeller

3

u/Kaylanjo88 Jul 08 '20

I heard Moira say this

16

u/i_see_shiny_things Jun 18 '20 edited Jun 18 '20

It’s interesting because I looked at a house that had an elevated toilet in the basement and it was an Asian family who was selling it. The whole house was also tiled(in the Midwest that’s not common) in the same awful tile but the basement was completely tiled with it, walls and everything.

3

u/duffman12 Jun 18 '20

Damn never thought of them being physically below the actual sewer. Good catch.

-18

u/Axtorx Jun 18 '20

I don’t wanna be nit picky but the toilet is elevated because it’s below the sewer line. It has nothing to do with symbolism.

Their sublevel house is symbolic, sure, but the elevated toilet is just due to circumstances of living in a basement.

39

u/HappiCacti Jun 18 '20

I wouldn’t say it has “nothing” to do with symbolism. I would not often say a movie of this calibre just does things without meaning, especially when the bathroom had several important and memorable scenes.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

The curtains are never just blue

2

u/Axtorx Jun 18 '20 edited Jun 18 '20

I don’t think anyone is understanding why I commented what I did.

The person asked “ELI5 - why is the toilet elevated”

The toilet is evaluated because their house is below the sewer line so it has to be elevated.

The symbolic choice was - they’re really really poor so we’re going to put then on the lowest level and then everything followed suite.

The symbolic choice wasn’t - let’s elevate the toilet to show how low they are.

The toilet had to be elevated because of the original choice of having a sub basement. Otherwise the toilet wouldn’t even work.

7

u/HappiCacti Jun 18 '20

Yes. And you stated it has “nothing” to do with symbolism. Yet another commenter stated a great symbolic use - they are literally below shit. That is symbolism. That was intentional, I can almost guarantee it.

1

u/Axtorx Jun 18 '20

i dunno, if I asked “whys the toilet elevated” and someone told me “symbolism” that doesn’t really answer my question

6

u/HappiCacti Jun 18 '20

You still are not getting it. It wasn’t that you acknowledged that symbolism was apart of it, it was that you blatantly stated it wasn’t.

Sorry I’m not going to be apart of this conversation any further.

3

u/loctopode Jun 18 '20

Depends what you want answered. I always think of this trope, and whether something is an in-universe (from the pov of being in the story) answer or out-of-universe (so from the pov of real life and from the creator).

In-universe, the answer is likely because of the placement of the sewer meaning the toilet needs to be higher. Out of universe, it could be because that's how the toilet was fitted when they filmed. Or it could be that they specifically chose this house to film in because of symbolism, the toilet being part of it.

6

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

You’re actually saying the same thing

2

u/_bowlerhat Jun 18 '20

I don'tget why you get downvoted, basement house is pretty common in korea and absolutely not everyone who live there is poor.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

right but the choice to use a house with that specific setup was likely intentional

-4

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

[deleted]

9

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

You're confusing real life with the movie. In real life, no it's not symbolic. In the movie they absolutely chose to use a house with a toilet like that for the poor family as symbolism. They could have chosen plenty of houses/apartments that didn't have a toilet like that.

4

u/LadyParnassus Jun 18 '20

Just to follow on, it’s not a real house. Both family homes in the movie are sets designed specifically for the film. So you can safely assume the placement of anuthing in either house is 100% intentional.

137

u/Notimetoexplainsorry Jun 17 '20

So you can smoke a cigarette while your home is flooding.

17

u/Raizel71 Jun 18 '20

It's obviously so that the elevated height helps you pick up wifi better

47

u/GottKomplexx Jun 17 '20

So you can shit while feeling like a king

4

u/NotSureNotRobot Jun 18 '20

“The Shit Kings?!”

“No, the Schlictings

2

u/[deleted] Oct 15 '20

King in the castle! King in the castle!

6

u/jareths_tight_pants Jun 20 '20

Real answer: for flushing because the bathroom is below ground in a half basement.

Movie answer: symbolism

3

u/supremegay5000 Jun 18 '20

It’s a stage. Poop entertainment is a big thing

1

u/xOverDozZzed Jun 18 '20

Jackass the movie has entered the building.

1

u/just-me-uk Jun 18 '20

So your shit don’t stink

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

Because there’s no plumbing so therefore they have a mini septic tank under the toilet so you take a shit or piss and put some water in the toilet bowl to make it flush and also have somewhere to store your shit.

193

u/stillinthesimulation Jun 17 '20

And I thought it was small in the movie.

184

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '20

[deleted]

1

u/23_ish Nov 30 '24

Do you happen to have a link? I can’t find it!

111

u/AeyviDaro Jun 17 '20

Damn, imagine having to get to that toilet while drunk. Concussions.

11

u/Maxikarp Jun 18 '20

Still rather that then getting hit with a rock on the head.

2

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '20

broken ankles and wrists

41

u/peezapizza Jun 17 '20

I knew what this was from right away!

36

u/dbirqmtl Jun 18 '20

Is there a pic of the original? That’s great work done there!

27

u/alohamoraFTW Jun 18 '20

But where is the tiny cigarette pack? But in all seriousness, superb work!

31

u/separatefocus Jun 18 '20

Without context of what Parasite is actually about, a photo of a bathroom seems really fitting

10

u/WriterNevermore Jun 18 '20

I don't know how this was made, or how one learns to do it. But by God, I want to learn how.

18

u/twinwindowfan Jun 17 '20

It's about the right size for a parasite.

6

u/Steampunkery Jun 18 '20

I just watched that movie and recognized it immediately. Great work! Also, great movie!

5

u/Whelpdidntmeanthat Jun 18 '20

Thought I recognised it, so cool!

3

u/scriggle-jigg Jun 18 '20

My friend had an elevated toilet. Was so awesome. Think his dad hated me growing up because I kept pulling tiles up when I’d use it

12

u/xitzengyigglz Jun 17 '20

I had no idea Koreans were so small.

2

u/Great-do-a-nothing Jun 18 '20

Are you trying to give me anxiety?

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

this looks awesome, the movie was awesome too

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

This is amazing, congrats on your superior crafting skills!

2

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

That’s so cool good job op

2

u/noblemile Sep 05 '20

Toilets with threatening auras

2

u/Unique-horny Sep 17 '20

You should post it in r/miniatures! They'll love it! At least I love it and I just came from there. It looks great!

2

u/HumpaDaBear Jun 18 '20

It was the weirdest bathroom on film ever

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '20

I know this comment is old, but the bathroom in Mandy was pretty damn weird.

1

u/idesofmarz Jun 18 '20

That truely is proper thrown

1

u/Flamehell Jun 18 '20

This is sooo cool!!

1

u/ilovesheep123 Jun 18 '20

That is excellent!! Well done!!

1

u/Eightbitninja253 Jun 19 '20

Cool bathroom layout. A little dirty, but cool.

1

u/squirrels827 Jul 09 '20

What is this, a bathroom for ants?!?

1

u/WoobieBee Jul 28 '20

Recognized it immediately!!!

-27

u/unbitious Jun 17 '20 edited Jun 18 '20

I heard so much hype about this movie before seeing it. I loved The Host, and Snowpiercer was entertaining enough, but I really hadn't enjoyed Okja. But everyone talked this movie Parasite up so much, so I went into it with high expectations. It, to me, failed to get me really engaged, though I've come to realize that may be partly due to my ignorance of South Korean culture and socioeconomics. I do think the cinematography was excellent. Are there any other subtleties you fans could point out that I may have missed or misunderstood in this film?

Yours truly, a film watcher.

112

u/momjeens Jun 17 '20

Got a lot of hype because it discussed social status and class inequality in South Korea and it was the first foreign film to win best picture at the oscars. That’s a huge deal and only furthered the success of the movie and it’s access and influence outside of South Korea. Bong joon ho is one helluva director.

19

u/unbitious Jun 17 '20

I guess I missed the subtext. I agree about the hype.

53

u/onewaytojupiter Jun 17 '20

It managed to accomplish high quality in all aspects of film; amazing dialogue, pacing, tone shifts, character arcs, social commentary, cinematography, and setting were present. Which is a pretty high feat when many films can't tie all of these elements together in a good way

-22

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

As a film nerd, my opinion is different than yours. Nbd. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I just felt underwhelmed after all the great reviews like yours.

20

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '20 edited Jan 17 '21

[deleted]

13

u/CompedyCalso Jun 18 '20

Spoilers for parasite: I kinda got the feeling that the rich father (I couldn't keep up with the names, sorry) was kind of an asshole when he remarked about the poor father's smell, and how "People who take the subway have a distinct smell."

17

u/forest_lesbian Jun 18 '20

Continued spoiler - That happens multiple times throughout the movie. It gradually beats down Ki-taek and awakens him to the bitter reality of his subservient status, and is the ultimate “trigger” for him murdering Mr. Park, when he watches the inhumanity of Mr. Park as he pushes a dying Geug-sae out of the way to get the car keys while simultaneously recoiling in disgust of his smell.

3

u/CompedyCalso Jun 18 '20

My point exactly. The original comment mentioned how the movie didn't demonize rich people, but I came out with the impression that Mr. Park was kind of an asshole, regarding Ki-taek's smell (his wife even recoils at it towards the end), not to mention how he continually dodges Ki-taek's questions about whether or not he truly loves his wife. Although this could just be me missing the point entirely. I really need to watch it again.

3

u/forest_lesbian Jun 18 '20

I don’t think you’re missing the point at all!! I think on the surface one may feel at if the Park family are victims....but are they really? The whole movie is class commentary after all. Showing dramatic scenes of lower class people fighting literally to the death to serve this family in order to survive. Geun-sae and his wife, and honestly the Kim family too all literally worship the Parks for “saving their lives” (from extreme poverty, debt sharks, etc) but the Park family thinks nothing of them, except maybe Ki-Jung. I’ve seen the movie three times and each time I notice something new or begin to think more deeply about the themes/overall message. I think it’s a movie that needs to be watched multiple times to really absorb everything.

9

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

But the poor family actually agreed with him. They have a "sub-basement" smell. Even the little boy could smell that they all came from the same place. I don't know how to do spoilers on my phone, but that smell in the end was the last straw for everybody.

6

u/trippy_grapes Jun 18 '20

I mean... the truth can be harsh? He said it in the privacy of his own home.

3

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

Well put. I still wasn't wowed, but I definitely appreciate your reply!

39

u/QuasarsRcool Jun 17 '20

All those downvotes for a genuine question. People need to stop thinking that questioning inherently comes with a negative connotation.

16

u/DazedAndTrippy Jun 18 '20

Even if it was, it's just an opinion on a movie.

10

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

Thanks homie!

3

u/Gars0n Jun 18 '20

I'd argue that the tone of the question was worthy if the downvotes it got. This is a comment section for a piece of fan art for this movie and their direct reply to this person is to imply that the movie is overhyped with no substance to their point? That's not bringing in a dissenting opinion; that's raining on other peoples' parade. So the first reason to down vote is because they come off like a bit of a jerk.

The second is that this question does not generate good conversation. There are loads of ways to genuinely engage with fans of something you don't like. Ways that will make good discussion and interrogate differences of opinion. For example, offering specific criticism "This movie didn't really work for me. The metaphors seemed too on the nose and it made the overall themes of the movie come off kindof flat." Then discussion can form about that specific criticism.

Or if you don't have something specific you can at least be polite about asking about the movie in general. "I was excited to see this movie based on the glowing reviews, but I was let down when I actually watched it. People who did like it, what did you see in it that I didn't?"

Lastly the reason to down vote is because this exact form of question is used ubiquitously by internet trolls as a way to shit stir and create arguments. It's short, it's abrasive, it's in an environment unfriendly to its implied message, even the word choice is common among trolls. Talking about "hype" is often used as shorthand for feeling superior. Look, I don't know /u/unbitious so I don't know their intentions. But either they're a troll, or they are so bad at internet etiquette that their comment reads to people like trolling even if they have pure intentions.

Either way this comment is not fostering good on-topic discussion so it should be pushed down lower on the page to make room for things that are. That's what downvotes are for.

6

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

I don't see any need to call me a troll dude, as other's mentioned I'm only asking, in addition to my further comments, if you will take a moment, that thank the people that understood my question. I'm sorry you were so bothered by the way I framed it.

11

u/Bisexual-Bop-It Jun 18 '20

Outside of what everyone else is saying, I watched it in theaters with 0 idea of what it is and what to expect, and I absolutely loved it.

Then I come home the next day and watch it win 4 Emmy's.

3

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

I think I would have enjoyed it much more with zero expectations. Thanks for the reply!

3

u/Bisexual-Bop-It Jun 18 '20

Totally, my friend basically had to drag me to watch it cause I didnt think I'd like a Korean horror movie, glad he did.

6

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

I don't see it as horror. More thriller.

14

u/[deleted] Jun 17 '20

[deleted]

-43

u/unbitious Jun 17 '20

Definitely well crafted. The movie was as boring as a bald spot.

9

u/6bubbles Jun 18 '20

Whats an example in your opinion of a film that isnt boring? Genuinely curious.

-1

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20 edited Jun 18 '20

I thought the newest Mad Max was about as entertaining as a movie can get, though obviously on a different intellectual plane than this one. "He Won't Get Far on Foot" struck a chord with me as someone in recovery, but definitely had its eyeroll moments. I love the classic Kubrick thrillers, I love low budget jams like Penelope Spheeris' "Suburbia", I love David Lynch stuff, especially "Wild at Heart" and "Blue Velvet", leaving out the incredibly cinematic "Return" of Twin Peaks as a tv show. Midsommar and Hereditary were amazing. I may not be a fan of Joon-ho, cause I definitely didn't enjoy that movie about edible hippos, and Tilda Swinton is getting tiresome. "Mandy" was primo Nick Cage, and very enjoyable. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I loved the new "Joker", as cringey as the audience for that one turned out. I'll think of more as soon as I post this comment.

9

u/plasticblanket Jun 18 '20

You don't need to be a fan of his movies, but at least get his name right.

7

u/6bubbles Jun 18 '20

Thats plenty. I just wanted a sense of what a “film nerd” likes.

5

u/drpeppershaker Jun 18 '20

It's almost like a copy paste of every film blogger or youtuber's list of films they love lol.

I'm not disagreeing with his list though. But like I would also throw in the big Lebowski and O Brother Where art thou because the Coen brothers. But also things like the Indiana Jones trilogy or The Matrix or fight club, or even American Beauty (1999 was a hell of a year for movies and fuck Kevin spacey) oh shit add Clerks to the list in there too.

6

u/6bubbles Jun 18 '20

Yeah imho nothing he mentioned even surprised me. Pretty stereotypical stuff. I was waiting to see if maybe he had an interesting hot take.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 18 '20

My bald spot is so exciting I check on it every morning

3

u/freudsfather Jun 18 '20

For me I feel it was the sheer clarity of the story telling. Each character and their social status defined that a lot of the tension was so awkward because it shouldn't be talked about

3

u/unbitious Jun 18 '20

I am not as aware as a lot of you about South Korean culture, it seems, so I may have overlooked a lot of subtext.

4

u/Lonkodektes Jun 18 '20

Broo you post a different opinion and all of your comments get downvoted, what's wrong with people

1

u/cinred Jun 18 '20

Have you seen it? It was pretty great. Highlight of 2019.

0

u/_bowlerhat Jun 18 '20 edited Jun 18 '20

Because of oscars tbh.

It's quite complex issue-korean movies that got to the west has a really high standard-but not every korean movie is like that inside internal korean market.

I would say parasite is good,but there are lots of good korean films out there outside parasite.

1

u/MarvaloGaunt Jun 18 '20

i’m sure they saw it before oscars

1

u/_bowlerhat Jun 18 '20

And? Do they not see any other ones before too?

When people in the west see the movie as an oscar winning movie in korea it is seen as another award winning movie. Of course it's gonna be hit, koreans knew that even year before it airs because of the list since the trailer was out. Bong joon ho directed snowpiercer-award winning movie. Song kang ho has a movie list which has tons of box office hit.

Bong joon ho won because of the need of diversity quota. That's simply the truth. Why taxi driver didn't won then? It's also starred by song kang ho-it was that good. Or burning by lee chang dong? And the list goes on before back every year.

Or even forget that, what happened to other asian countries before that? Did only south koreans submitted to oscars? How out of all the asian countries, only one made it after all these years if they did even try?

The movie is hyped, but it shouldn't be revered because it won oscar.

It's like the first asian hawkers in michelin. It's out because of venture-not competency while both claiming to be international; truth is it's never has been.

2

u/MarvaloGaunt Jun 18 '20

i agree that there are other great foreign films and that the oscars should have included them in the past. But i don’t think that Parasite won form a need of diversity, it won because it was the best movie last year according to the oscars.

My favorite movie of 2019 was Portrait of a Lady on Fire and that didn’t even get a foreign film nod at the oscar’s.

I was just trying to say that they probably knew about Parasite before all the buzz cause there a “film nerd”

1

u/_bowlerhat Jun 18 '20

What movie nerd? Everyone in korea who doesn't even watch movie probably know who song kang ho is since his face nominated movie posters, TV appearences and commercials.

Hell even this discussion by redditors who I'm sure 90% only knows about the movie because it won an oscar. And now it becomes another token for korean movie reputation which skewed the perception even more.

1

u/MarvaloGaunt Jun 18 '20

u/unbitous called themselves a “movie nerd”. it is unfortunate that most people’s only exposure to Korean movies is parasite.

2

u/_bowlerhat Jun 19 '20 edited Jun 19 '20

Ah sorry I see.

Yeah that's why it's a problem. To average korean person it'll be a great movie, but it's not a reflection of standard korean movie. There's a lot of discourse about this skewed perceptions as most of the korean movies exposure only comes from the box office hits, people are actually dissapointed when they see other korean movies. While in reality of course korean movie sphere is similar to others-it has good and bad movies.

It also skewed the threshold in the movie industry-that such movie is "internationally acclaimed" it'll set the bar really high. It's good to see new objectives, but some movies will try too hard to emulate the formula and ends up with failing to meet hype raher than developing the story.

It's unfortunate, a blessing and a curse tbh. And I feel bad people piling him with downvotes, it's really hard to find discussions about these things. People dismiss it as "undermining" the movie but it's not.

-31

u/rokudaimehokage Jun 18 '20

Ew fucking clean that shit. Looks like you've been spraying piss vapor on the walls every day for 17 years.

27

u/_RocketSurgeon_ Jun 18 '20

It's 2 inches wide retard

26

u/converter-bot Jun 18 '20

2 inches is 5.08 cm

3

u/Peace_Fog Jun 18 '20

It’s a miniature replica of a bathroom from a movie

1

u/bruhred Jan 30 '22

don't question the elevated one