Relating to Current Issue

FILM IN RELATIONS TO COVID-19

Currently, our world is still in recovery from the global pandemic COVID-19. Many of the challenges that were caused by this pandemic were reflected in the film Train to Busan. The film showed how fast the infection spread across the nation, the panic and fear that this unknown infectious disease has brought onto the citizens. When the first few cases of COVID-19 were discovered in North America, along with the constant rise in cases reported in China, citizens of North America went straight into panic mode. Grocery stores were raided for toilet paper, non-perishable foot, bottled water, … etc. People were so in fear of this new unknown infectious virus and living in a constant uncertainty caused individuals into panic-buying.

The film also shows us how the selfishness of one person can deeply affect and impact others in a pandemic setting. This is a point that we need to take in consider as we face the current pandemic in our world. When Canada went in a country wide lock-down, the government enforced the rules that all individuals must wear a mask in public spaces, encouraged social distance to be practices, and advised individuals to stay at home and only go out for essential grocery shopping. There were individuals that behaved very selfishly, they disregarded the dangerousness of the virus and continued to throw home parties, go out with friends, and put others safety at risk.

Train to Busan illustrates many scenes of individuals desperately trying to return home to their family or loved ones. It also shows how the government began to place cities under strict quarantine enforced by military forces as a measure to prevent the spread of the virus. During this pandemic lockdown, many people were unable to return to their families, loved ones were separated for months due to the travel ban that was put in place. People that were infected by COVID-19 were isolated and put in quarantine. Through the film and relating it to our current crisis, we can conclude that the pandemic has caused a lot of emotional and mental stress for many individuals as they continue to live in uncertainty and fear.