Okja

Whether you intend to or not, leaving out key portions of an argument trends a story towards propaganda and coercion.

In the realm of both satisfying and fulfilling narratives, director Bong Joon Ho takes a step backward with his latest film for Netflix, Okja. His last movie, Snowpiercer tells a complete and compelling argument about the tragedy of trying to alter the forces of inertia. Three parts terrifying and one part picturesque, the sum of Snowpiercer's parts contributes something meaningful beyond a simple joyride.

Okja, on the other hand, is what it is.

In my recent thematic analysis of Dunkirk, I explained the process of Propaganda within a narrative:

Propaganda is a method of leaving out key parts of a story to coerce or manipulate the viewer to fill in the missing pieces with their own experience. By becoming a part of the story-forming process, the viewer unknowingly subscribes to the original Author’s point-of-view. When done inadvertently, as it is here in Dunkirk, the technique distances the viewer and removes them from experience–unless they possess a patriotic appreciation of the United Kingdom.

The same distancing effect comes into play in Okja. No matter how hard you try to avoid it, propaganda occurs when you fail to show every side of an argument:

"I think the movie will turn people vegetarian," co-writer Jon Ronson tells Heat Vision. "I think there’s a whole load of 16-year-olds who don’t realize where their food comes from or don’t realize that within five weeks time they’re going to be vegetarian. I think that is going to happen. But I really don’t think that was my intention or Bong’s intention."

Regardless of intention, when you set out to show the inside of a slaughterhouse, the terror of extracting flesh samples for a taste test, and the disturbing implications of forced breeding without showing the other side of the argument—you risk creating a piece of propaganda.

For Ronson, showing those consequences — and getting the audience to acknowledge them — was key. “Own your lifestyle choices and own your positions. If you’re going to eat meat, this is what happens in the slaughterhouse. Don’t trick yourself," says Ronson, who eats fish in his personal life. "I think that’s something you can take into life. If you’re going to bully somebody, don’t trick yourself into thinking you’re not bullying them. Understand your actions."

Bullying, indeed.

Creating a Complete Argument

A complete argument covers all four sides of the conflict:

  • an overall perspective of things
  • a personal perspective of things
  • an impersonal perspective of things
  • a perspective of things regarding a relationship

Okja covers the first—but fails to provide any supporting material for the other three angles.

Writer and director fail to provide insight into Main Character Mija (Awn Seo-Hyun) and her perspective. Nor do they provide an outside point-of-view to challenge her justifications–a perspective key to influencing the Main Character of a story to grow.

The friendship between Mija and Okja carries the potential for a meaningful connection with conflict on the Objective Story Throughline–but that relationship turns objective once the grandfather sells the pig.

“I don't expect the entire audience to convert to veganism after watching the film,” the director says. “If you consider it, even the protagonist Mija – her favourite food is chicken stew in the film.

Why then, wouldn't you make this preference for animal consumption on the part of Mija part of the story's conflict? Tying the Main Character's issues into the problems found in the Objective Story Throughline bridges the gap between our subjective experience and objective reality.

It gives meaning and purpose to the narrative without the unintended consequences of manipulation and coercion.

"I don't have a problem with meat consumption itself, but I do want my audience to consider, at least once, where the food on their plate comes from. And, if one is to do that, I believe the level of meat consumption will gradually decline.”

For those swayed by apparent propaganda, yes.

A more efficient means of communicating this message lies the development of a balanced and complete narrative argument. By addressing the concerns of parties on all sides and presenting their approach to conflict in a measured and equitable manner, the Author leaves the Audience with little to argue. Readers and viewers must accept a proven argument.

After watching Okja, many feel the compulsion to buy meat raised under humane standards. Unfortunately, as with most propaganda, that need fades over time.

Netflix released Okja towards the end of June. It would be interesting to see how many converted vegans dropped that point-of-view after a couple of months.

After I visited the slaughterhouse I turned to veganism for two months.

Propaganda fades.

Complete well-crafted arguments last.

A comprehensive understanding of the Dramatica theory of story and the Narrative First approach to working with the theory ensures a full and compelling argument.

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