Okja

Vegetarians and vegans, unite!

Don't we all love animals? Dogs, cats, fish, birds, cows, snakes, elephants, hippos, tigers and humans alike, they are all intricate forms of life that deserve love and care. But why in the world, in one example, do we establish slaughterhouses for our adorable bovine friends? Last time I checked, skinning and assorting the anatomy of a life form into delicious sirloins, ribs, and briskets were definitely not acts of love and care.

At least that is the question the South Korean Netflix-exclusive film "Okja" begs to ask, as well as to answer. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, the story tells of a super pig (hippo?) named Okja, one of twenty-six genetically engineered animals created by Mirando Corporation in 2007, with the mission to solve world hunger. All twenty-six super pigs are sent to different locations around the world to be raised, and within ten years, one will be crowned the winner. In 2017, South Korean country-girl Mira lives happily with Okja and her grandfather, until the Mirando Corporation team arrives and declares Okja the winner of the competition. Unfortunately for Mira, she is completely oblivious to Okja's grim fate as a consumer product. Determined to save her childhood friend, Mira follows the Mirando Corporation all the way to New York City, but with little to no knowledge of the cruelty and torture the animals suffer in this capitalistic world.

Vegetarian, nor am I an extremely passionate animal lover. I am utterly unable to resist meat, and the most intimate relationship I had with any animal was owning three puppies for two years when I was 7 years old. Still, it doesn't necessarily mean any moderate, like myself, is entirely oblivious or apathetic to the topic regarding animal cruelty. Considering the fact that there are roughly 375 million vegetarians or vegans worldwide (according 2014 Meat Atlas of the Friends of the Earth and the Heinrich Böll Foundation) and with their community expanding at a rapid rate today, "Okja" hits on a resounding, and dare I say, controversial theme that should concern every person in this modern world. And obviously, a serious subject matter like this can also be unexpectedly appalling and depressing, whether you are a vegetarian or not. This form of "didacticism", that is more in line for documentaries than entertainment, may not appeal to everyone. For "Okja", it is difficult to describe it with a single adjective, because there is a mix of components you would normally see in both documentaries and fictional films, and a prevalent back and forth shift of tones that goes from disturbing violence, to social commentary, and to slapstick comedy. This is a style that is really unique to Bong Joon Ho, and it makes "Okja" a great place to start familiarizing with it for who people who hasn't.

You will witness an abundant number of graphic scenes, like Okja getting forced to mate or overtly showing the operations of a slaughterhouse. For the film's main purpose, they are necessary to exhibit some painful realities in society, but the overall ambiance goes way too far for an adventure film. This is a shortcoming that is clearly realized by the director, and so as a balance, there are quippy characters and jokes throughout that is supposed to alleviate the inherent heaviness of the theme. Unfortunately, the comedy would have cracked a smile in many people in many occasions (my favourite being the "Mirando is F***ed" meme"), if it weren't incorporated with "Okja". In other words, while the humor feels successful on its own, it fails to find a relevant spot in the overarching theme of animal cruelty. I don't believe even a Charlie Chaplin cameo could have made me forget the appalling violence so ingrained in my mind. Yes indeed, the painful reality behind the industrial agriculture complex is an inescapable one, but whether it can transform itself into a touching story on screen for entertainment is a separate matter. In a cinematic setting, certain people welcome these types of knowledge, whether they are difficult to process or not, while others would rather stick to ignorance as a mean of bliss.

The only two characters that deserve praise and attention are Mija and the titular animal, Okja. The close relationship between them is the most important ingredient that holds everything together from the start to finish. Their indivisible friendship anchors the overall theme of the film, and offers an abundant number of poignant moments where the idea of animal cruelty can be felt at its core. There are also several other interesting characters like the ambitious CEO of Mirando Corporations, Lucy Mirando, zoological TV personality, Johnny Wilcox and animal-rights activist, K (played by Steven Yeun from "The Walking Dead") who serve as foils and entertaining additions to the story. These supporting characters encompass and drive the comedic side of "Okja", but as mentioned before, unfortunately, they feel rather superficial and unbefitting of the overall tone in the film. As a whole, "Okja" tries to fit in too many broad things in two hours: violence, social rhetoric, politics, humor, and action. A diverse application of such tools to create a motion picture can be entertaining or ineffective, depending on preference. Nevertheless, it is a specialty of Bong Joon Ho as indicated throughout his previous works that actually worked in "The Host" (which I recommend), for example. I myself thought his technique wasn't effective enough to be a full commentary or satire, but many others may disagree.

There is absolutely no shame in abstaining from watching "Okja", if your preferences don't agree. Doing that won't make you any less of a person. On the other hand, it is invaluable to expose oneself with a brand new angle on even the most diurnal things in life. In this case, it would be eating and how that simple routine can adversely affects animals. This is an unlikely connection to be made, but nevertheless, a truth that is unavoidable. Experiencing the subject as an intimate story arouses a tremendous amount of emotions compared to an expository documentary that simply addresses the facts, and as a result, a shocking revelation comes ever so naturally. And while there are many moments of pain and grief, the film also remembers to slide in several comical reliefs, delightful intimacies and expertly choreographed chase scenes to lighten up the mood. However, there was an irritating dismaying feeling that lingered in me after the film. Albeit a happy ending, I couldn't get rid of the heavy nuances from the Mirando slaughterhouse and underground lab. Normally in a documentary, these scenes would be more tolerable, but building that humanly connection and affection for Okja, and then watching it suffer is comparable to watching one of my family members getting raped. The experience may differ tremendously depending on attitude, but for me, "Okja", in totality, is visually and thematically horrifying. Even though the filming techniques and acting are as flawless as any Hollywood blockbuster to date, it is not a film I would put myself through a second time. That being said, "Okja" is still without a doubt, a gratifying experience that sheds light to a meaningful subject and offers valuable knowledge about the idea of animal ethics. Not an ounce of regret do I have for encountering a film crafted so exotically as Bong Joon Ho did here. Though it didn't convert me into a vegetarian, my view on animal rights and cruelty may never be the same again.

Verdict: Super 8

Release Date: June 28, 2017

Box Office: $2.1 million

Rewatchable: No   

"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian"

                                                                                            -Paul McCartney