****
When an international company comes to reclaim her best friend from their mountainous home in South Korea, Mija will stop at nothing to win back Okja, a 'super pig'. Setting out on a desperate quest to save her beloved companion, Mija finds herself caught up in the corrupt world of capitalism and consumerism, where animal sacrifice is all a part of the game.
So, I actually saw 'Okja' about three weeks ago, but I was so traumatised by the experience that I couldn't bring myself to write about it until now. A warning to you: do not be fooled by the light-hearted, quirky appearance of the trailer - this is NOT a feel good film about a girl's loving relationship with an overgrown pig. It is in fact much, much darker than that, showcasing themes of corruption, capitalism, obsession and animal abuse. It also contains one of the most distressing rape scenes shown on film. Oh yes, it starts happily enough, with a cuddly creature and her human companion playing in the lush greenery of the South Korean forest, but this idyllic setting does not last for long, as our central pair are soon separated and thrust into the traumatic world of the big city. At times I looked away, I had a proper sob a couple of times too - but I had to finish because I was intrigued as to how this frankly bizarre film by Bong Joon Ho would conclude.
Why give a film that left you in tears four stars, you might be asking? Well, for all that upset me about it, there can be no doubting that this movie is indeed a truly striking and original one, hence why I had to watch to the end - I just wasn't sure how things were going to pan out. Whilst Okja and Mija (newcomer Seo-Hyun Ahn) are undoubtedly the main pairing, the supporting characters are, for the most part, well-drawn, multi-faceted individuals whose actions provide consequences. Firstly, there's Jake Gyllenhaal, once again proving his acting chops by digging his teeth into the role of washed up nature documentarian Johnny Wilcox, a deeply unwell person struggling with his position in the meat production conglomerate. On the opposite end of the spectrum to Wilcox is Paul Dano's Jay, the leader of the underground group aiming to protect animals - an equally conflicted character but a welcome, kind relief from the 'baddies' who seem to constantly occupy the screen. Topping the cast list off is Tilda Swinton, who, whilst the story of her rivalry with her sister and their 'daddy issues' is somewhat unnecessary, provides a masterclass performance that's a joy to behold. Similarly, the film never outstays its welcome - it rattles along at a pacey rate with each scene providing an essential part in the development of the plot. It is, indeed, as lean as the meat of the super pigs themselves.
Deeply disturbing in places and with a message that will linger long in your thoughts after the credits roll, 'Okja' is a tough, but rewarding, watch with a quirky sensibility. With an excellent cast and an original, satirical story at the centre, it will undoubtedly touch the heart of many a viewer. Just, be prepared to look away.
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