By: Ica Hontiveros-Cheng
After a disastrous earthquake leaves their city in shambles, the only building left standing is the Imperial Palace Apartments. As soon as the dust settles, chaos ensues with every survivor making their way to the only building offering shelter and with a bitter winter, it will be even harder to survive outdoors.
Chaos follows as outsiders try to live together with the official residents of the apartment building but with resources hard to come by, how long will all of them survive?
Who is deserving to make key decisions that will be for the welfare of the majority?
Dystopian-Survival films are nothing new, in fact, Hollywood has had them for quite some time now. Watching ‘Concrete Utopia’ it reminded me of films/TV shows like ‘The Walking Dead’ (minus the zombies), and even ‘The Hunger Games’ (minus the children killing each other as a form of entertainment). These popular titles have looked into what happens when civilization abruptly ends and examines how humans try to survive amidst death and destruction and sometimes they lose their humanity along the way.
‘Concrete Utopia’ is different because it offers some signature Korean comedy to balance the darker and heavier parts of the film. That educational video of their “new society” is pure black comedy gold! As an added bonus, it also gives that oh so satisfying twist ala ‘Parasite’ that will have you at your wits end!
Lee Byung-hun is brilliant in this film! He can be an unsuspecting bystander or a charismatic leader in the snap of a finger. Whatever the scene or the situation demands of him, he gives it his all. Oh, and he gives a pretty good karaoke performance if I do say so myself.
Fans of Park-Seo-joon should not miss this opportunity to see their idol on the big screen. And to fans of K-Drama, K-Pop and everything Korean if you want to see more Korean films in cinemas, make sure to support ‘Concrete Utopia’ and see it in the big screen!
Deserving of its Oscar bid, ‘Concrete Utopia’ examines human nature and reminds us to be kind to others, even at the end of the world, and when you think about it even more so at the end of the world.