Snowpiercer (2013-South Korea/Czechia-126 min.) directed by Bong Joon Ho

2014 National Board of Review Winner

2013 Best Film and Best Director Winner, Korean Association of Film Critics

In this story, there is one post-apocalyptic world, and one “self-sustaining” train makes its rounds around the world. On board are human survivors who are divided into strict social groups, with one unfair regime governing them all. At the bottom of the social ladder (and the train), one can find the poor masses who are dressed in rags and survive on protein bars, and, at the top, there is the elite, consisting of a few individuals who ruthlessly preside over the masses, while enjoying the luxuries of life.

When one man from the bottom of the train sparks the rebellious spirit in the masses, he does not even begin to imagine the complicated way to the top of the train nor what awaits him as he nears the real power propelling the train forward. Snowpiercer is not one’s ordinary action or sci-fi film; wrapped in philosophical reflections and delicately balancing humor and horror, and realistic action and allegory, the film defies expectations, requiring both a leap of faith and open-mindedness from its audience. (https://spotlightonfilm.com/2020/09/16/snowpiercer-review/).

Bentley’s Spring 2026 International Film Series is made possible with generous support from the Department of Global Studies, the Department of English and Media Studies, the Valente Center for the Arts & Sciences, the Bentley Library, the Office of Sustainability, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Film and Media Studies Lab, and the Academic Technology Center.