South Korean filmmakers are where it’s at and they’ve been leading the wave of international cinema for quite some time, often doing a tonal balancing act of humor, drama, horror, weirdness and more. At the top of the list arguably in Bong Joon-Ho, the director behind, “The Host,” “Mother,” “Snowpiercer” and his latest, “Okja.” And it sounds like another loopy, strange piece of world cinema.
Jessica Kiang’s recent review from Cannes says the movie is gorgeous, galumphing triumph. And she wrote about it effusive terms: “This is the funny, moving “’Okja”’ — a perfectly cinematic and extraordinarily persuasive manifesto for anti-capitalist activism, civil resistance, traditional farming methods and, finally, full-bore vegetarianism. My heart is full, but my stomach is empty, so I’m off to research non-animal protein sources.”
God, we’re sold. The esteemed international ensemble cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Byun Heebong, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito, Jake Gyllenhaal and introducing An Seo Hyun as “Mija” Here’s the official synopsis:
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For 10 idyllic years, young Mija (An Seo Hyun) has been caretaker and constant companion to Okja – a massive animal and an even bigger friend – at her home in the mountains of South Korea. But that changes when a family-owned multinational conglomerate Mirando Corporation takes Okja for themselves and transports her to New York, where image obsessed and self-promoting CEO Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton) has big plans for Mija’s dearest friend.
With no particular plan but single-minded in intent, Mija sets out on a rescue mission, but her already daunting journey quickly becomes more complicated when she crosses paths with disparate groups of capitalists, demonstrators and consumers, each battling to control the fate of Okja…while all Mija wants to do is bring her friend home.
Deftly blending genres, humor, poignancy and drama, Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, The Host) begins with the gentlest of premises — the bond between man and animal — and ultimately creates a distinct and layered vision of the world that addresses the animal inside us all.
“Okja” will premiere exclusively on Netflix on June 28th. Some absolutely terrific character posters have arrived which you can see below.
