Bong Joon-ho's latest film, "Okja," received a four-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in May, an about-face reaction from the loud boos heard at the beginning of the screening. Those were likely due to a technical failure that delayed the screening for a good 15 minutes, and for which the festival committee later apologized.
The film itself, however, could be described as unapologetic. After impressing critics with "The Host" (2006) and "Snowpiercer" (2013), the South Korean filmmaker delivers a masterful sci-fi tale that acts like a swift kick in the face of corporate globalism. A Netflix original, "Okja" is lovely to behold and razor -sharp with satire (especially in its observations of the West). In an industry that sometimes appears to cave to the rules of marketing, Bong's brand would be the rebel.
The film is in English and Korean ( another taboo-breaker since, according to research, audiences hate subtitles). No worries there, though: Bong has enlisted a stream of Hollywood A-listers to impress. He also introduces the formidable acting abilities of 13-year-old Ahn Seo-hyun, who demonstrates an absolute flair for action scenes combined with an emotional depth that makes "Okja" an unforgettable experience.