Space films Trilogy: <Ad Astra>

"Per Aspera Ad Astra", "Through hardships to the stars". This is a popular Latin phrase used by various governmental entities and organizations. Even I myself changed the title of this blog to the same phrase (Perhaps it is because it clearly reflects my motto through my life to come).

Anyways, on September 19th, 2019, a brand-new space flick starring Brad Pitt hit the theaters. Since I was busy preparing for my computer science project, I could not afford enjoying the movie right away. Therefore, after 9 days of its initial release, I finally watched it in CGV Gangnam and after the movie, a lot of complex emotions passed by.

Before the official release in Korea, the movie held a preview session for the selected few and critics. Thus, I had a chance to check the Rotten Tomatoes rating before going to the theaters. The ratings were quite intriguing.

Ad Astra: Critics ratings doubled the audience score

Unlike most of the films, critics ratings doubled the audience score. This only meant two things. One: Because the film is too complex in its nature, it failed to capture the audience's attention. Two: The film's main focus is not an adventure in space. Either way, it seemed obvious that the film failed to meet the popularity I expected.

The film itself, however, was a visually stunning masterpiece filled with metaphors.

Space films (From Gravity to Ad Astra)

Space, an empty, void place that stimulates mankind's imagination

Space, an empty, void place that stimulates mankind's imagination. Since in the early 19th century (Jules Verne: From the earth to the moon, 1865), or perhaps even before, mankind have admired space and dreamt of conquering its vastness and openness. Thus, it is obvious that from 1947 to 1991, what we commonly refer to as a Cold War Era, the US and Russia have spent their money on space exploration to show off their respective technological prowess. The competition for space exploration in each country was not in vain as some insist. Thanks to the competition from each country's pride, we could send a person out of the earth and set the stage for future space exploration. However, what is so frustrating is that despite decades of technological progress, we have yet to send people to Mars. Human beings have big dreams, but its corresponding reality has many limits. This is where media kicks in. By utilizing computer graphics, we often use our imagination to implement scenes that are not obtainable in reality. This is what I call the 'charm' of the movie.

Gravity (2013) & Interstellar (2014)

Both visually appealing, Gravity (Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, 2013) and Interstellar (Directed by Christopher Nolan, 2014) are my top two space film picks. Gravity swept seven Academy Awards, including visual effects, sound effects, and direction. Interstellar won visual effects award in Academy Awards. I'll address these films in later essays individually. These movies worth an essay each.

Two days ago, a brand new space film starring Brad Pitt hit the theaters. Although the ratings from Naver (which is not a reliable source, I know) varies from 0 to 10, critics from Rotten Tomatoes qualified the movie as a 'Certified Fresh' rating (Basically the best grade the website has to offer). Thus, I knew from the start that it would be a mesmerizing experience. I even changed my blog title to "Ad Astra per Aspera", which basically means "through hardships to the stars" in latin.

I am anticipating to watch the movie on IMAX next week..

Chuseok: Standing alone on a traditional family holiday

You are 147 miles away from your nearest relatives. You can’t expect to talk to your family and taste delicious pancakes for the ancestral rite. There’s no help coming for you. You are completely alone for five straight days. You sit next to a stranger on a bus 147, headed to ‘home’ in Yeoksam-dong. The stranger sitting next to you makes a phone call to his parents: “When should I return home? Today?” The words stick sharp in your ears as if to emphasize the fact that you are alone for five days. The traffic is heavy due to cars leaving Seoul. Many cars have open windows. The drivers are annoyed by the traffic, but you see a smile on their faces. Seoul is no longer someone’s hometown but the home of all the others.

Chuseok is considered to be the biggest holiday in South Korea. Families gather to hold a memorial called ‘charye’ on the morning of Chuseok. In order to prepare for the ancestral rite, those who are responsible for cooking (mostly women according to Korean customs, accompanied by men) get together at the house of the eldest son of a family. During the process, we often meet relatives we haven’t met for a long time and discuss their recent situations. In fact, this is what Chuseok offers us. Throughout the holidays (long enough to take a break from his/her jobs), we get to meet our relatives and strengthen the family relationship.

Yet, think about those who cannot return to their hometown. Even on Chuseok, some in the service industry still remain in their workplace. According to a recent study conducted by ‘Albachungook’ in 2017, 3 out of 5 people in their twenties spend their time alone during Chuseok. Two of the biggest reasons are: part-time job and the scolding of relatives and family members. As shown in the statistics, quite a peculiar phenomenon is happening in modern days. Chuseok, a symbol of harmony with family members, is being shunned due to strange reasons.

As aforementioned, I myself could not return to my hometown, Daegu, due to ‘SAT intense study class’. What differs my experience from the previous examples is ‘willingness’. Thus, on a scale from 1 to 10 in terms of productivity and loneliness, I’d rate my Chuseok a 10. Both productivity and loneliness may be the last word that comes to mind when we think of Chuseok. For those of you who could not visit their relatives on Chuseok, cheer up! You are not the only one.