The fear is that the brouhaha might overshadow the filmmakers artistic endeavors playing out on screen.
Happily, thats not the case withBong Joon-hos cinematic marvelOkja.
The best raised pig will be showcased during a special super-pig pageant a decade down the road.
Fast-forward to 2017 and a beautiful forest in the hills of North Korea.
The young girl and the pig have a close bond that Jong-ho tenderly and patiently explore.
They fish in a shallow river together.
Image via Netflix
They enjoy the quiet tranquility of the woods together.
In many ways Okja is more like a friendly hippopotamus than what one would expect of a giant pig.
Shes smart, loyal and loving.
Image via Netflix
She desperately holds on to the rope to save herself from a deadly fall into the canyon below her.
Wilcox is blown away and immediately realizes that Okja is the pig they have been looking for.
WithOkjathe Korean auteur is tackling issues of consumerism, animal rights, the environment and corporate greed.
Image via Netflix
Miranda corporation uses covert government security forces to cover up its sinister deeds.
Okja ends up being abused in a way unimaginable at the beginning of the film.
The last 20 minutes ends up turning into one emotional and harrowing gut punch after another.
Image via Netflix
Again, its admittedly a whole lot.
But its gorgeous and moving and thrilling and funny and inventive and unexpected.
Its why Bong is a visionary among his peers.
And, my god, its why we go to the movies.
