Chip shot!

Appearance in Parasite boosts sales

ARTEIXO Cesar Bonilla is still baffled by a surge in demand for the canned potato chips made by his company in northwestern Spain after they appeared in the award-winning film Parasite.

The movie recently became the first non-english language film to win an Oscar in the best picture category and the 87-yearold Bonilla is grateful to its director, South Korea’s Bong Joon Ho.

“I’d say to him a thousand thanks and I have tears in my eyes when I think about it,” Bonilla told Reuters while watching a clip from the dark comedy in which the scheming members of the Kim family feast on food and drink at the house of their rich employers.

“It was a mystery how this movie showed this can of Bonilla a La Vista, made with so much affection and hope, and then the movie got so distinguished. My hope has been fulfilled,” Bonilla added

Bonilla’s family-run company’s online sales in Spain surged 150 per cent and distributors have been increasing orders at home and abroad.

Four more staff have been hired, adding to about 100 employees.

“Now that we are selling a lot with all this impact, we hired people because otherwise we can’t cope,” Bonilla said.

The company makes 540 tonnes of crisps per year, exporting 60 tonnes to 20 countries. South Korea, where the crisps were popular with high-end consumers long before the movie’s release, accounts for the bulk of exports, about 40 tonnes.

Clients and friends alerted the company after seeing the distinctive can on the big screen.

“We never thought we could get this far with a can of crisps. It moves me a lot as it should move anyone knowing that you are making something that gets so much acceptance,” Bonilla said. “Makes me proud.”