A World of Discrimination and Hate, Can the 'Badagoe-mul' Coexist with Humans? The Movie 'Luca' [Joohee Kang's Video Prism]

Editor's Note How do you remember that scene? Have you ever suddenly recalled a scene from a movie? This is likely because films are closely connected to our lives. Movies offer another perspective on reality. We present various viewpoints on reality by highlighting a single scene from a film. Please note that spoilers may be present during the depiction of scenes.

Still image from the movie 'Luca'./Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The world is a space tangled with invisible boundaries. Certain standards labeled as "normal" create boundaries of "difference," and those who do not conform to these are marginalized by society. Although we may want to turn a blind eye, the reality we stand on is a world built upon countless standards called normal. However, most people live forgetting this fact. Those who fall outside the category of normal are considered strange and to be avoided, excluded from social discourse, and their existence is constantly denied. Since they are invisible, it may be natural that their existence feels unfamiliar and alien. But denying their existence does not make it disappear. Even if hidden, they are definitely here, breathing, thinking, acting, and living just like others.

Disney·Pixar’s new animated film Luca embodies the existence of the erased as "sea monsters." Luca, who lives under the sea, one day discovers that when he comes ashore, he transforms into a human and becomes curious. However, the human world is as frightening as it is intriguing to Luca. Humans find sea monsters, who look different from themselves, disgusting and terrifying. Because of this, sea monsters live hiding their existence deep in the sea where they cannot be seen. In fact, the term "sea monster" is a name given from the human perspective. To sea monsters, the humans who harm them are the "land monsters."

Having grown up hearing warnings that the land is a place so dangerous it could cost their lives, Luca cannot easily venture out of the sea. In the film, the sea surface is depicted as a "barrier" that Luca cannot break through no matter how hard he tries; in other words, the sea level symbolizes a boundary that is difficult for Luca to cross.

Movie 'Luca' still image. Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea

It is Alberto who pulls Luca out from the sea. Alberto, a fellow sea creature and a senior in land life, teaches Luca how to walk after he has just come ashore. When Luca hesitates to do something, Alberto shouts "Shut up, Bruno!" to encourage him to act, awakening Luca to the diversity of the world he had not known. Together, they embark on an adventure to participate in the human town’s triathlon, the "Portorosso Cup," to win the scooter they want, the "Vespa."

Like most genre films, Luca features a villain who troubles the protagonists. Ecol?, who calls himself the town’s star and the Portorosso Cup champion, frequently appears to criticize Luca and Alberto’s appearance and commits misdeeds. However, these actions do not significantly hinder the protagonists’ path. Ecol?’s remarks are indiscriminate insults rather than criticisms based on valid grounds. Such comments feel unconvincing and hollow.

Above all, this film is more interested in Luca and Alberto’s journey to find their identity and dreams than in a story of good triumphing over evil by defeating the villain. The premise that they become sea monsters when wet and humans on land can be read as a portrayal of minorities who must hide their identity in certain societies. The team name "Underdog," formed by Luca, Alberto, and Giulia to enter the Portorosso Cup, also indicates that they represent those who do not belong to the mainstream. The middle part of the film depicts Luca and Alberto struggling to keep their identities secret in the human town, through which Luca gradually concretizes his identity and dreams as a sea monster.

Still image from the movie 'Luca'./Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea

The film does not explicitly depict scenes of Luca and Alberto experiencing hatred or violence because they are sea monsters. Instead, it indirectly shows that sea monsters always face restrictions when doing certain things. Luca wants to attend the school that humans go to but must worry about being exposed, which causes conflicts with Alberto. This is similar to how many minorities face social restrictions and endure endless concerns about their existence due to nationality, race, gender, age, disability, sexual identity, and so forth.

When Alberto first revealed his identity in front of people, Luca did not stand up for him out of fear that his own identity would also be exposed. In other words, rather than depicting the scale of discrimination and violence minorities face in society, the film discusses what minorities lose and must abandon because of their minority status.

At the film’s end, during the bicycle race of the Portorosso Cup, Luca suddenly stops. Leading the race and nearing the finish line, he faces the risk of being exposed due to rain. Even Alberto, who tried to help with an umbrella, falls and transforms into a sea monster, surrounded by people ready to capture him. Luca, who hesitated before, does not hesitate this time. Just as Alberto led the fearful Luca to the land, Luca takes Alberto’s hand and chooses to plunge into the rain.

Some people may embrace them, but others will still look at them with prejudice. However, the film points out that criticism directed at someone because of differences is nothing but an empty shout. Just like the hateful words Ecol? uttered were powerless. Compared to that, the message the underdogs who stand against discrimination and hatred and protect themselves and their loved ones give to the audience is very strong and solid.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.