Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 7/4/17

In late June, Netflix debuted a new film by eclectic Korean director Bong Joon-Ho, “Okja.” The main story line is about a girl, the pig she raised (the “Okja” of the title), and how that pig is taken over and mistreated by corporate interests. Much of the story line, according to early reviews, is about how the girl vows to rescue Okja, with the help of animal activists. Being a satire, the characters are largely represented in extreme caricature — completely evil or positively saintly. And Okja bears no resemblance to an actual pig, being a hippo-sized, genetically modified version of a swine. Reviewers describe the plot as taking aim at a host of agribusiness interests, including Monsanto and GMOs, as well as the process of harvesting animals for meat. The film debuted last week on Netflix. Bong also has directed such films as "Snowpiercer" and "The Host", which also are considered social commentary.

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