‘Okja’
I just saw Bong Joon Ho’s new film ‘Okja’, and yes, I
recommend it. There are not many films around these days that will have me
laugh and cry in the span of two hours. This film of social conscience did
that.
I normally avoid movies that rely on CGI. But for the story
that’s told in Okja, it’s necessary, and there’s only one CGI character in the
film, and that’s Okja herself. I was only a few minutes into the film when I
completely forgot that the star of the film is a CGI.
‘Okja’ is on Netflix now. I’m going to avoid spoilers here.
The story revolves around Mija, a girl of about 14 who lives with her farmer
grandfather in the countryside of South Korea. Megacorporation Mirando has used
extreme genetic modification in its corporate laboratories to produce what it
calls a ‘super pig’, a massive pig hybrid that tends to be shy and gentle, and
tends to bond with humans – just like pigs.
In a clever PR move, Mirando sends 26 baby super pigs to 26
countries across the globe, where they will stay and grow up with foster
families for 10 years. At the 10-year mark, Mirando will collect all the super
pigs, choose the largest and best of the lot, and introduce their new food
product – the super pig – to the world at an elaborate unveiling in New York
City.
Mija was 4 years old when she and her grandfather receive
baby Okja. Over the course of 10 years, Mija and Okja, in this idyllic setting
of the countryside, forge a deep, loving bond. But one day, Mirando arrives for
Okja, who, as it turned out, grew to be the largest and most impressive super
pig. They sneak off with her while Mija is in the forest, visiting her parents’
graves. Then, the story begins.
Mija flees her grandfather’s farm to find Okja and bring
her home. As she closes in on Okja’s location in the U.S., she encounters
Animal Liberation Front activists, who also want to liberate Okja.
One of the most emotional and disturbing parts of the film
takes place in the slaughterhouse where all the super pigs – not just the 26
that were fostered – are brought for the first killings of this new breed. Ho
created a slaughterhouse environment that’s spot on, full of fear and misery and
dread and gore.
One by one, these loving, sensitive, shy, beautiful beings
is placed on a conveyer, prodded with electricity, and brought to the kill.
Just like in real life slaughter, they see the others die before them, then
become terrified, fighting for their lives, screaming, before being killed,
carved up, and packaged in plastic wrap.
Doesn’t sound like a fun movie. But it’s the tenderness and
determination of Mija and the ALF activists, their passion to save Okja’s life
and stop all animal suffering, as well as Okja’s beautiful spirit, that
commands the film and left me speechless.
Ho did a brilliant job with this film. The actors do their
parts perfectly: some you love, and some you feel compelled to hate. There is a
hilarious scene – and I mean fall-on-the-floor hilarious – at the Seoul
shopping mall, earlier in the film, that spotlights the raw guts and aptitude
of ALF activists. You can’t go wrong with a runaway super pig in an Asian mall,
with a John Denver soundtrack superimposed over the scene.
Check this one out. Ho is making a strong statement. And
yes, I think it’s obvious that he’s striving to make us change our thinking
about our food choices. Don’t be one of the people who doesn’t want to face the
reality of this, for fear that it might be too painful to see. See it,
understand it, release yourself from misinformation and denial, and evolve.
‘Okja’ is a great film, full of laughs and tears and great
acting, even if it doesn’t make you think about the bloody barbarity of the
slaughterhouse. Even if you go for a burger afterwards, see it. Even if you’re
of the kind of mental incongruity that allows you to love one animal with all
your heart, and then eat another, see this film.
Much love,
Barbie xo
