PLEDGE: Netflix Movie Okja Inspires People To Ditch Meat And Go Vegan
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FROM

Plant Based News
July 2017

Okja

The emotive movie showed the dark side of industrialised farming

The smash hit Netflix movie Okja is inspiring some omnivores to take to social media pledging to ditch meat.

The film, which tells the story of genetically modified 'superpig' Okja, who has been bred as an answer to feeding as many people as possible, has what many have interpreted as an anti-meat message, despite director Bong Joon-ho reportedly telling one paper: "Eating or not eating meat is a personal choice. Humans are omnivorous, like other animals. [Eating meat] cannot be a sin."

Vegan

The process of making the film turned director Bong vegan for a short time after visiting a slaughterhouse - though sadly, the change wasn't permanent.

Speaking about the slaughterhouse visit he said: “It was a very overwhelming experience. When I returned from Colorado to New York [where some of Okja was shot], I felt like the smell was following me there."

He was vegan for two months.

"Then I flew back to South Korea, and you know, Korea is a BBQ paradise. Every street on every corner is burning meat. I slowly, slowly came back to being a meat eater. [But] in the process of making this movie, my level of meat consumption has decreased.

"Now I’m gradually becoming a pescatarian."

Social media

Despite Bong's words saying meat eating 'cannot be a sin', the representation of mass slaughter and industrialised farming Okja has definitely struck a chord with many, inspiring them to seek out a kinder lifestyle.

Scores have posted messages on social media, discussing how the film has impacted upon them - and made them want to go vegan.

A few of many online comments:

  • "I'm done with mac and cheese. Okja turned me vegan"
  • "Just watched #okja and my family is going full #vegan tomorrow."
  • "Just finished watching Okja and I want to be vegan now."
  • "The movie Okja is seriously making me consider going vegan."

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