Okja (2017)
Film details
Adventure · Drama · Science Fiction · Action · Bong Joon Ho · 2h 0min
Synopsis
A young girl named Mija risks everything to prevent a powerful, multi-national company from kidnapping her best friend - a massive animal named Okja.
Verdict
A moving fable that criticizes the food industry and celebrates friendship and compassion.
In-depth analysis
The film Okja is a modern fable that, under the guise of a rescue adventure, unfolds a keen critique of the global food industry and the dehumanization inherent in mass production. Directed by Bong Joon-ho, the work forges a poignant connection between the young Mija and her "superpig" Okja, which serves as the emotional heart of the story. Through her odyssey to save her friend, Mija lays bare the corporate frigidity of Mirando Corporation, which views animals as mere products. The film prompts contemplation of the origin of what we consume, the ethics behind industrial production, and the intrinsic value of animal life. It is not an easy work, for it presents images and situations that can be disturbing, especially for the more sensitive, but its message about compassion, loyalty, and responsibility is powerful and necessary. It is a work that, without descending into indoctrination, fosters a family dialogue concerning respect for creation and the quest for more mindful consumption.