Revolutionary filmmakers are shaping the future of cinema by analyzing our destabilized planet.
Few have explored its dystopia as compellingly as Snowpiercer director Bong Joon Ho, whose new vision Okja, out now from Netflix, was inspired by biodiversity at the mercy of capitalization and extinction:
Director Bong Joon Ho’s desire to work with the most talented actors and craftspeople in their respective fields resulted in a global production that brought together a diverse pool of talent both in front of and behind the camera. Shot across several countries, oceans apart, Director Bong united cultures with his singular vision: a story of love and friendship that is truly universal.
In the featurette below, the cast and filmmakers of Okja describe how they transcended borders to bring their story to the screen. Watch never-before-seen interviews with stars Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun as well as behind-the-scenes footage of the actors working with Director Bong.
Okja Launches On Netflix and in Select Theaters This Wednesday, June 28!
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.
Director Bong Joon Ho & Cinematographer Darius Khondji, behind the scenes.
