GERMONES, Jhereine J.

12 – Eclipse EAPP

Reaction Paper (Okja)

Mija, a young girl, raised Okja, a super pig, alongside her grandfather in the mountains.
However, Okja was not theirs. The Mirando Corporation lets them take care of her, one of 26,
to farmers across the world to better their image. But, in the end, it’s just all about business. Of
which, the Mirando Corporation is about Genetically Modified animal products and Okja with
all other of their animals, are just food.
But, when it is decided it is time for her pig to go, Mija travels across the world to save
her. Which, with some help from Jay and the members of the A.L.F. (Animal Liberation Front),
leads to a happy ending. Well, at least for Okja. As for the rest of the super pigs? They will be
slaughtered.
With this movie, I have realized four major points. First is the strong bond of friendship.
Despite Okja being hundreds of pounds bigger than Mija and of an entirely different species,
they still established a strong connection with each other. The duo will sometimes whisper into
each other’s ear, clearly able to understand each other.
Second. Okja can be a representation of millions of real animals currently suffering on
factory farms. Millions of pigs, chickens, and cows, aren’t as lucky as Okja and are treated
violently and crowded into cramped and filthy sheds where they barely have space to move
comfortably. Hundreds of millions of affectionate animals, just like Okja, are killed for food
every year. The lives of factory farmed animals reveals that we have created a huge prison
system for them where they are no longer considered beings, but instead are treated as
products on an assembly line from the moment they are born to the moment they are
murdered.
Third. Why do we love some animals but eat others? All animals are equally sensible
beings, but because we think that eating farmed animals for meat is normal, natural and
necessary, we never question our choice to mass slaughter and eat them. In order for people to
change, the first step is awareness. With an aware mind, we can change to a more humane
living.
Fourth. Pigs are also capable of feeling. Scientists who study them have found that farm
animals have well-developed and complex patterns of behavior, cognition, and emotion.
Despite the fact that society has painted pigs as filthy, stupid animals, pigs do feel. They can feel
happiness and pain.
Knowing all that we do about the impact of meat consumption on the environment and
animals, we are faced with a choice – either we can continue to be sold into this destructive
industry… or we can choose better.