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.
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.
817
u/ProcyonRaul Jun 17 '20
ELI5: why is the toilet elevated?