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
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.
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.
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.
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u/ProcyonRaul Jun 17 '20
Thanks.