Hollywood Blockbuster Prompts Stars to Rethink Meat

After last week’s premiere of new animal-rights centric film Okja in Cannes, France, cast members revealed the impact the film had on their eating habits. Okja is a futuristic film, wherein Lucy Mirando, played by actress Tilda Swinton, orders six pig-like creatures to be raised to weigh several tons, and then be slaughtered. One pig, Okja, becomes a lovable companion to Mija—played by Korean actress Seo-Hyun Ahn. When it comes time to slaughter Okja, an animal-rights group—headed by “Silver,” played by actor Devon Bostick—steps in to save the pig-like creature. “I don’t think I was as conscious of an eater before,” Bostick told The Hollywood Reporter. “Though I’m not a full vegetarian, I’m much more aware of my intake and how big that footprint is.” Swinton weighed in with her response to the film’s message, stating, “It’s about being conscious and awake while we’re here on the planet, keeping our eyes open and not sleepwalking through life.” The film has made recent headlines as a captivating account of the cruelty inherent in the animal agriculture industry, and is set to debut on Netflix on June 28.