House of Cards

Dear Mom and Dad,

First of all, I think you’re really going to enjoy helping me with this homework assignment. I know I told you about these sort of assignments before, writing blog posts about Netflix shows. However, sometimes on these posts, we also need to get someone to respond to us. That’s where you come in! My teacher lined this up so that we’d be on break already for this assignment, where we need to get our parents to respond to our post. And, to make this easier on you guys, I decided to watch one of your favorite shows: House of Cards

I know how well you guys know me versus my relationship with politics. I can definitely say I never planned on watching this show, basically ever, despite all the hype that I’ve heard about it. House of Cards is probably the one show you never expected me to watch either, but I knew you’d be able to respond well if I wrote about one of your favorites.

I can honestly say that this show, at least to me, was terribly confusing. I’m not very aware of what’s going on in politics most of the time, I don’t know all the terms, or what office positions do what. I mean, honestly, I couldn’t tell you the main character’s name. However, I can see why you guys would like a show like this so much. I know politics and the way our country is run, as of right now, means more to you than it does to me. In the same way that technology means more to me than it does to you. What I’m getting at is that while I can enjoy a show like Black Mirror for the message it sends about people versus technology, you guys can enjoy seeing the inner workings of government affairs and be somewhat involved with the rivalries of office members.

While I’m happy to know approximately .0154% more about what you guys enjoy watching in your free time, I can’t say that I’ll be continuing with the show. That isn’t to say that I didn’t think it was a good show, or that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just, you know, me being me, the topic of politics really isn’t my thing. I wasn’t sure most of the time what was really going on, who people were, and whose side I was supposed to be on. Also, I’m sorry, but I can only handle so many white dudes being passive aggressive with each other so much. Continue to love your show, and I can’t wait to see what y’all have to say! Love you guys

-Caroline

Okja: From farm to table

If you’ve ever lived on a farm, then you understand the importance behind never getting attached to the livestock. They are raised for a purpose and that purpose is to provide. Okja ties that in with the traditional ideas behind providing for a large society and the love a young girl feels for her pet. Many aspects of the film have a seemingly political air and it also addresses the rougher side of animal production for human consumption. With no clue what I was in for, I sat myself down in a pizza onesie with Bandit and began the film.

                The opening scenes and credits are very high in energy and almost have a brainwashing vibe to them. The press conference sets the precedent for the rest of the movie and in a whirlwind of excitement you as the viewer is transported across the globe to Korea. The first scenes in the jungle brought about this sense of serenity and I couldn’t help but feel at peace with my decision to watch this movie. Much of the first half of the script features the movie only spoken in Korean. I tend to watch many of my movies with closed captioning on anyways, so this wasn’t a big deal for me, especially since they added the English subtitles, however it was an interesting choice on the half of the director. Our first glimpse of Okja is confusing. The indecisiveness as to what she actually is can be visually distracting, however the plot does a fair job of keeping you entertained and on your toes. While she is classified as a “super pig”, she has many physical attributes and mannerisms that reminded me remarkably of a hippo. Mija, her caretaker and best friend, views her less as an animal for a competition and even more as her pet as the movie progresses. As it continues on, it begins to take a darker turn. Around the time the A. L. F. comes into play, you begin to get an idea behind the message that the movie is trying to get across. Pursuing this idea down the rabbit hole gives you a glimpse into what is potentially a portrayal of the current food industry, only with fictional animals. The vulgar and violent scenes often want to make you look away yet you fear to miss another gruesome detail that showcases the horror of American slaughterhouses. While the mass production of animals for food is no new concept, the conditions in which it can be done are demonstrated in an abhorrent manner. In an effort to not spoil anything I shall not go into further detail. Just know that this film is not for the faint of heart.

                While intentionally depressing and heart-wrenching, Okja stands apart from films and documentaries in its portrayal of the more crude aspects beyond your initial thought in the production of food. The unconditional love Mija feels for Okja provides an easy way for the audience to connect to her. This movie makes more of a political statement as to our meat production as a country more than anything else. With an open mind and a prepared mental constitution, you can make it through this movie and perhaps think about the journey it takes for your meat to make it to your table.