Okja (2017)
Director: Bong Joon Ho
Stars: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Seo-hyun AhnRuntime: 120 minutes
Synopsis: A young girl risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend - a fascinating beast named Okja.
Performances: 8/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Editing: 9/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Editing: 9/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Verdict: Fresh off his historic wins at this year's Academy Awards ceremony for "Parasite", I felt an urge to revisit every film directed by Bong Joon Ho and share my thoughts on each one of them.
Since "Okja" is a Netflix production and is available on the platform, it was only natural for me to start with what is widely known to be the film that will turn convert any person who watches it into a vegan. The story of Mija's quest to rescuing her childhood pet, who with time became her best and only friend, from certain death is an emotional one on so many level, and most certainly says a lot about the poor treatment of animals in slaughterhouses. But if you're familiar with Bong's work, you probably already know that his films go deeper than what is seen on the surface. "Okja" is also a critique on consumerism and capitalism, about multinational companies who leave humanity at the door when there's money to be made. These themes are highlighted by the comically over-the-top, almost cartoonish portrayal of the company's employees, mainly played by the brilliant Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal, who in a way appear to be old-fashioned comic book villains. But it's certainly the bond shared between Okja and Mija that shed the most light on how heartless these conglomerates can be.
Supported by a subtle yet beautiful score and stunning camerawork, the only stains contained in the film are a few clichés and some CGI work that probably won't hold up later on. Other than that, "Okja" is a film I guarantee will make you both cry and laugh, and I obviously can't recommend it enough.
Since "Okja" is a Netflix production and is available on the platform, it was only natural for me to start with what is widely known to be the film that will turn convert any person who watches it into a vegan. The story of Mija's quest to rescuing her childhood pet, who with time became her best and only friend, from certain death is an emotional one on so many level, and most certainly says a lot about the poor treatment of animals in slaughterhouses. But if you're familiar with Bong's work, you probably already know that his films go deeper than what is seen on the surface. "Okja" is also a critique on consumerism and capitalism, about multinational companies who leave humanity at the door when there's money to be made. These themes are highlighted by the comically over-the-top, almost cartoonish portrayal of the company's employees, mainly played by the brilliant Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal, who in a way appear to be old-fashioned comic book villains. But it's certainly the bond shared between Okja and Mija that shed the most light on how heartless these conglomerates can be.
Supported by a subtle yet beautiful score and stunning camerawork, the only stains contained in the film are a few clichés and some CGI work that probably won't hold up later on. Other than that, "Okja" is a film I guarantee will make you both cry and laugh, and I obviously can't recommend it enough.
FINAL GRADE: 8/10
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