Okja

Okja, directed by Bong Joon-ho, is a South Korean-American fantasy adventure drama film released in 2017. The film tells the story of Mija, a young girl who has a deep bond with a massive, genetically modified super-pig named Okja. Okja was sent into space as a piglet, as part of an experiment to cultivate a new breed of super-pigs designed for efficient meat production. The pig is meant to grow at an exponential rate, reaching massive weights in a short period of time. The idea behind this experiment was to provide a sustainable meat source to the world. However, as Okja grew older and reached her destination back on Earth, the experiment took a drastic turn. Instead of being slaughtered and used for meat production, Okja was saved by a young girl named Mija. Back in the 1990s, a team of scientists sent Okja into space, but upon its return, she was found by Mija's grandfather, who had saved her from being slaughtered. He had taken her to the remote countryside and raised her alongside his granddaughter, who grew up loving Okja as a family member. Over the years, Okja has become massive, weighing over 1,500 pounds, but she has developed the heart of a child, and Mija has raised her as her own sibling. As Okja has now reached an age where she is almost ready to be harvested, a team of scientists and the Mirando Corporation sends out a team of mercenaries to hunt her down and bring her back to the organization's facilities. Mija is devastated by the loss of her beloved friend and sets out on a perilous journey to save Okja from falling into the hands of the cruel corporation. Mija's journey takes her across diverse landscapes and into the heart of cities, where she encounters a team of activists and a charismatic but ruthless animal rights activist, Johnny. Johnny, who is an eccentric animal lover, joins forces with Mija to rescue Okja from the corporation's agents and return her home. However, Mija soon finds out that Johnny may not be as reliable as she thought. Johnny's motivations for joining the cause are a bit more complicated than she initially thought. His eccentric behavior is a facade that hides his true intentions and his connections with the Mirando Corporation. As Mija navigates through her mission, she encounters a team of Korean animal rights activists who try to help her rescue Okja. She also encounters some unsympathetic locals who are more than willing to hand over Okja to the corporation for a price. The team faces numerous obstacles and dangers, from the ruthless mercenaries hired by the corporation to the unpredictable nature of Okja herself. Throughout her adventure, Mija forms an unbreakable bond with Okja, and she will stop at nothing to secure Okja's freedom. As the stakes get higher, an unexpected figure emerges - Lucy Mirando, the CEO of the Mirando Corporation. Lucy Mirando appears to be a compassionate and understanding individual who does not share the same vision as her father, the founder of the company. She genuinely wants to do good for the world, but her father's legacy and the company's interests pose a significant challenge. Through a dramatic confrontation in a live television broadcast, Lucy Mirando reveals her true intentions: she intends to replace her father's vision of mass-producing super-pigs for meat with her own vision of raising them safely and humanely. Her intentions are a mix of genuine compassion and a desire to outdo her father's company. However, this new vision raises a whole new set of questions for Mija and her allies. If they manage to save Okja and bring her safely into the hands of the Mirando Corporation, what will be Okja's next move? Will she be subjected to even more experiments, or will she finally be free? Despite the numerous obstacles the team faces, a heartwarming moment between Mija and Okja reminds us that their bond is unbreakable. Okja, a creature engineered to grow in size, still maintains a childlike curiosity, innocence, and a deep affection for Mija. Their reunion, which takes place in an iconic New York City farm, offers an inspiring glimpse into a world where the bonds between humans and animals could transcend even the most significant challenges. The movie culminates with a spectacular confrontation, where Mija and her team face off against the corporation's representatives in a tense standoff. Okja, in a thrilling escape, finally breaks free from the clutches of her captors and reunites with Mija. The ending leaves us with a poignant message: that our love, compassion, and dedication to the well-being of others can make a difference in this world, even if that someone is a massive animal raised for human consumption.