Who would have thought that one of the most anticipated movies of the year would be a film about a mutant super-pig? Well, this is thanks to the critically acclaimed Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, whose previous films have been critical successes all over the world.
His impressive resume so far includes films like the strikingly dark comedy Barking Dogs Never Bite, the comic-confronting crime thriller Memories of Murder, the blockbuster monster film The Host (not the film starring Saoirse Ronan, thank goodness), the old-fashioned mystery-noir Mother and the dystopian epic Snowpiercer, you bet people should be excited about Okja.
And if that doesn’t get you psyched enough, read the synopsis below (from Netflix):
For 10 idyllic years, young Mija (Anh 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.
Making a huge fuss at this year’s Cannes Film Festival due to the controversy about the treatment of digital and cinematic films, Okja rose above its origins and received a 4-minute standing ovation, with critical plaudits due to its impressive filmmaking, gonzo sensibilities, assured meshing of various genres and its wonderful performances from its ensemble cast, including Tilda Swinton and the lead actress, Ahn Seo-hyun.
Also starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Lily Collins, Steven Yeun, Giancarlo Esposito and others, those who are psyched about the film will be happy to know that it is showing at this year’s Sydney Film Festival! Book for tickets here and check out the mildly NSFW trailer below!
Okja will be released worldwide on Netflix (as well as in South Korean cinemas) on June 28th.
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