Friday Favourite: Okja

Okja, directed by award-winning Korean director Bong Joon-ho, is an endearing tale of a magnificent super pig and her parent, a 13-year-old Mija. This family-adventure film makes for a great watch for all. The younglings will be able to instantly connect due to the Roald Dahl charm of storytelling. Amidst the remote South Korean mountains, you see these two having a ball and being each other’s partners in crime. With a cast that includes illustrious actors like Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal, one is definitely up for a cinematic experience of a lifetime!

Okja, a genetically engineered pig, has a similar body structure to a hippopotamus. She’s instantly relatable because of her canine-like traits. Her expressive and giving eyes and a sharp nose are a unique feature. She’s got the personality of a loving and loyal pet dog.

Against the backdrop of a hilly farm, we see the duo wandering amongst dense forests and Okja frolicking into water bodies from time to time. They both grew up together on Mija’s grandfather’s farm and have been inseparable since.

But the narrative takes a sharp turn when Mija finds out that Okja is part of a plan set out by multinational conglomerate Mirando Corporation. CEO Lucy Mirando, essayed by Tilda Swinton, sets out to transport Okja to New York with a conniving plan of action. Without batting an eyelid, like any friend would take a bullet for their best pal, Mija is all set to embark on a taxing and grueling journey to free Okja from the clutch of the conglomerate. Her paths cross a group of animal activists who also have a similar agenda in mind to expose the reality of what and how animals are exploited for human means. This multi-layered beguiling tale makes you chuckle, your blood boil and snivel.

In association with Netflix, Plan B Entertainment, Lewis Pictures, and Kate Street Picture Company production, this film is a great lockdown movie. You can watch it here.