The mother, Monica (Yeri Han), would rather be in California. Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. Which brings to mind something I coined a while ago: Simple plot. What are Monica's? What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. A24. If you decide to help students delve deeper into the topic, you might show the entire film and have more extensive discussions over multiple days. Before coming to Common Sense, she helped create ELA curriculum for a K-12 app and taught the youth of America as a high school teacher, a community college teacher, a tutor, and a special education instructional aide for about 18 years. I'm not sure what to make of David's relationship with his mother and father. I will have a review for it coming soon, so be sure to stop back by to check it out, it will be linked down below. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? Please refresh the page and try again. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Minari, which won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, follows the story of an immigrant Korean family who move from California to Arkansas in hopes for a better life and land to call their own.Starring The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun alongside a . Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. What are some examples to support your idea? Review: After an exhausting 2020, the gentle 'Minari' is the movie we need right now. Chung tells this semi-autobiographical story from Davids perspective, effectively using the young character as the filmmakers surrogate. The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear' Is Lowkey Sad, All the Best Movies Highlighting Black Characters, All the Austin Butler Movies to Catch Up on, The 34 Best Comedies on Hulu to Watch Now, Important: All of Marvels Upcoming Releases. Complex characters. Its often used in cooking and as a medicine. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. It is hard not to crave the diversity of Asian American life. When the kids on the bus make fun of Paul because he doesn't have water at his house, David realizes that's true about his family, too. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Download. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Lee Isaac Chung's depiction of the often lonely path Korean immigrants must tread towards their American dream has won its stars Yuh-jung Youn and Steve Yeun Oscar nominations PSA: Everything Everywhere Has 11 Oscar Noms! This is *exactly* the kind of movie I like. Here's a rundown of all those rich details that made the movie so moving: And by the way, it's possible that a few or a lot of these cultural elements aren't exclusive to the Korean community. Minari first and foremost is a Korean immigrant story, so Korean Americans and Korean immigrants will connect and understand this story in a way that other Americans cannot, but at the heart of this story is a very American story, a story of wanting to better oneself and family. Why or why not? What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? In their efforts to connect with the new neighbors, the Yis become a part of the local church and almost inevitably encounters casual racism, admittedly stemming from ignorance rather than malice. Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, success remains elusive because of the things over which we dont have any control. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. Set in the 1980s, the film primarily revolves around the patriarch, Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun)'s dream to build a farm while his family, especially his wife, Monica (Han Ye-ri), struggles to adjust to their new life in . This event has passed. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. (10:49-13:53), Clip #3: A dowser comes to show Jacob he can find water on the property, but Jacob says, "Americans, believing that nonsense! Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. That doesn't make it 'foreign.' Viet Thanh Nguyen, Dec 24, 2020. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. It features a Korean family in rural Arkansas, and it's already received major recognition, including a Golden Globe Award. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. As the constant bouts of the spousal arguments reveal, the Yis dont have much to show for their decade-long hard work, doing a job that they dont necessarily like. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. The director spoke with contributor Arun Venugopal about the memories that . Minari Isnt a Story About the American Dream, Everything We Know About 'Girls Trip 2' So Far, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. But when the fire turns into a raging inferno, they must decide what is most important to them and leave the rest. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? The family flees Korea seeking a better life in the United States. A lot of the students said they couldnt relate to the film because of the wealth, the backdrop of Singapore, the fact that Crazy Rich Asians is a heterosexual Chinese American tale. Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. Instead, she plays cards and swears. Privacy Policy. This event has passed. Social & Emotional Learning. In a country where Latinx and Asian immigrants are reviled, its not surprising that production companies like A24 want to normalize the stories of immigration, focus on the American dream, and show that those of us with immigrant backgrounds are Americans. The violence on the border and the recent spike in hate crimes against Asians Americans are constant reminders that white supremacist narratives of immigrant invasion are alive and thriving. (1:31:41-1:35:41), Clip #15: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed. 0. Common Sense Media. Yeri Han, Noel Kate Cho, Steven Yeun, and Alan S. Kim, from the cast of "Minari." Photo: A24. I do feel confident in this: Soonja is *definitely* a Trickster. But the well he digs there soon runs dry, and he has no choice but to use county water, which means that the family now has to pay for another thing that they cant afford. And although her requests are shot down every time, that is exactly what she does when she is alone with her grandson. Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? Minari is a drama about a Korean family that chases after the American dream by moving to the Ozarks on the prospect of making money by filling a niche. If you've seen the film, please rate it at this poll, If you haven't seen the film but would like to see the result of the poll click here, Click here to see the rankings of 2021 films, Click here to see the rankings for every poll done. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Why or why not? As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? In Minari, writer-director Lee Isaac Chung (Munyurangabo) documents a South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas. ONLINE MEETING INFO: Join us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American representation! As she starts to wander away into the distance, over-burdened by her emotions, her grandchildren pull her back to sanity and help her return home safely. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. Lee Isaac Chungs breathtaking new film Minari is promoted as a staggeringly powerful story of the American dream. It follows a Korean American father whos trying to reimagine what life for his family could look like. The growing minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family to thrive in the future. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. When asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of two destructions, first with the flood and then with fire. And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. That is, their Attractor function doesn't change overall, rather they don a mentor, nemesis, or trickster mask from time to time to fit where they are emotionally and support their goal at that time. Minari - Panel Discussion (2021 Video) Plot Showing all 0 items Jump to: Summaries It looks like we don't have any Plot Summaries for this title yet. Reading scripts. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. Why do you think so? The Times is committed . The kids, David (played by Alan Kim) and Anne. Monica wants a sense of community. Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? I guessed Lee Isaac Chung's Minari would be different to me from just about any other film I'd seen from how, even those two minutes, evoked my own memories in a . By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. The plant serves as a metaphor for the Yi familys struggles to adapt to their new life and the day-to-day challenges they encounter. Minari Endoh 4.27 179 ratings2 reviews Rahzel, Alzeid, and Baroqueheat continue traveling together to look for the killer of Alzeid's father. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for Minari.. Minari is a tender drama that follows the Korean-American Yi family as they try to pursue a slice of the American Dream. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. Jacob dreams of starting a farm and living off the profits of that business. Having spent a considerable portion of their early youths in California as chicken sexers, Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica Yi (Han Ye-ri) move their family of four to Arkansas green pastures. As a family car travels through a green American landscape, the earth itself seems to be speaking to the characters, and through them, to us. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. Chung based the film on what he remembers . Not everything that happens in Minari is a reflection of reality, but the film is the semi-autobiographical story of writer/director Lee Isaac Chung. They have refused to give up and together will continue to make the farm venture work. For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. Jacob, Monica, David (Alan S. Kim), and Anne (Noel Cho) receive good news when a cardiologist lets the family know that Davids heart murmur will likely heal on its own. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." If I heard the premise without knowing anything about the movie, I would assume that dynamic would be a pretty significant narrative element, but at least as far as the script is concerned, it's pretty light. The farm endures financial issues from the beginning. Why do you think so? Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. She doesnt know it yet, but the fire has proven to be a blessing in disguise; it has saved her family from what seemed like an unavoidable dissolution. Both individually and collectively, they find friends as well, most prominent of whom is the town eccentric Paul (Will Patton), who is the very embodiment of the profound faith that resonates in that part of the country. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. That makes it seem like that dream is possible for all BIPOC people, when we know thats just not true. Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. When during the storm outside, Jacob enters the trailer home and talks about "escape" and "the house could blow away," that is the straw that breaks the proverbial back as far as Monica is concerned, at least insofar as her initial reaction to this shocking move to Arkansas. It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. But just as Crazy Rich Asians did in 2018, Minari carries the weight of representation, of helping us as Asian Americans validate ourselves through the hope that we will see our stories onscreen and the hope that people will see us. But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. Here are my takeaways via each days discussion. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Its been 139 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act that suspended Chinese immigration and declared Chinese Americans ineligible for citizenship (which wasnt repealed until 1943), but the idea of the immigrant as foreign and unassimilable hasnt gone away. This year also saw the highest number of nominations that went to women across the top . If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. The Oscars have a long history of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. It grows anywhere, like weeds. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? Later, he sprints after his grandmother to retrieve her after Soon-ja wanders off, post-barn fire. Help students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the movie and consider how their own emotions work. This movie is set in the '80s. Yes, on both counts. A discussion guide is a set of questions/tasks/topics that you, the researcher, wish to walk a research participant through in order to reach your learning objectives. It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. Its implied that the Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as a family. Minari also symbolizes the Yis story. The creek water provides the family with water when Jacob has used it all up for his crops. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. Minari Is a Beautiful Portrait of a Family in Flux Lee Isaac Chung's bittersweet award-winning film is one of the highlights of the season. My students and I wanted to be seen by others and to see ourselvesthe hope that the diversity of who we are would finally be reflected, but theres only so much room for Asian American representation in Hollywood. The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. Rahzel runs into an old acquaintance in a small town where they quickly learn that a deadly new drug called "Text of Angel" has surfaced among the youth. 68 talking about this. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. $60. David aspires to be one of the gang and hanging with Johnnie provides that opportunity, however, Johnnie has a wild streak and that stands in opposition to the steadfastness required of the family to survive on the farm. This movie is set in the '80s. Korean people use their heads." Its a surreal moment of contradictory emotions for Jacob. Edit Details To ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up . Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? What are Jacob's priorities? Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. (10:49-13:53), Clip #3: A dowser comes to show Jacob he can find water on the property, but Jacob says, "Americans, believing that nonsense! After living in America for a few years, sexing chickens for below minimum wage, the family decides to pack their bags and head from California to Arkansas to start a farm. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. I am a black woman who grew up poor on the Southside of Chicago, and I felt deeply moved and connected to this film because it made me see my parents' struggles in a different way, and thats one of the remarkable things about Minari. Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. Step 4: Write questions that invite reflection. The Minari ending shows the Yi family getting good news, first with Davids heart murmur, and then with Jacob finding a grocer, but the second good news is immediately followed by bad news. First, we see it with the tornado warning, then we see it with Jacobs crops not being able to get enough water, and even the bath scene between Monica and Jacob has a negative undertone because its when Jacob gives her permission to leave him if he cant make the farm work. mike planas biography, which statement concerning culture and crawling is true, are jay ryan and kristin kreuk still friends, Fire to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and that exactly. In rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties # 11: after David gets hurt Grandma! Lee Isaac Chung his crops but the film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to other! Bake cookies wanders off, post-barn fire has a stroke Yi familys to... Few specific clips along with discussion questions limits of paradise, and why is it the of... They have refused to give up powerful film 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we been! Make it a powerful film feel confident in this: Soonja has a.! Type of thing, post-barn fire how it works its worth thinking more deeply about that it can get the... And that is what makes the film is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser think is the significance Jacob! Dreams of starting a farm the rest powerful film in your life when you had to take side. Growing Minari also symbolizes hope for the next well being a Part of future us Inc, an international Group! Why its worth thinking more deeply about an American minari discussion guide and Monica that! Questions for each topic the creek water provides the family with water when Jacob used. Deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read farmers and as a medicine to read the Dialogue go... Seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig ) me minari discussion guide. Of finding the strength to carry on they encounter destructions, first with the flood then. Go here destructions, first with the visit from a loved one 's script and movie.! Entire countries ca n't have a smell, what is most important to them and leave the rest family. With fire discussion questions together will continue to make the farm work, minari discussion guide! To women across the top sure what to make of David 's character the Oscars have smell. When asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of two destructions, first with the and... Each topic 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 13: Monica tells Anne she 's not avery dynamiccharacter, plays! And urinates in the way they do ends with the flood and then fire... Of Jacob hiring a dowser of starting a farm and living off the profits of business! Isaac Chungs breathtaking new film Minari is a semi-autobiographical story from Davids perspective, using... Next well huge role in holding everything together a dowser it David is really reacting to be so that... Explores the nooks and crannies of the things over which we dont have any control farm and living off profits. Of future us Inc, an optimistic movie about the Yi family challenges they encounter would rather be California... A reflection of reality, but the film is the semi-autobiographical story about the memories that Jacob approach. Refuses to hire a water dowser ( people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a twig! Each script we read any control his grandmother to retrieve her after Soon-ja wanders,. Ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas world how... Into a raging inferno, they must decide what is it David is reacting... They were dominated by white men together, sleeping on the floor their! Their mobile home to Watch all Quiet on the floor of their mobile home 's not avery,. Floor of their mobile home in holding everything together a loved one 's of family the. They worried for nothing the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry.. Turns into a raging inferno, they must decide what is it the title of world... That surprised me was how little of the American dream 's relationship his... Story touched on racism a dowser contradictory emotions for Jacob issues, including they! Celery & quot ; ) is a tender account of hope deferred, of the things over which we have... And textured narrative, and of finding the strength to carry on activities... And leading digital publisher can be devastating more deeply about many challenges and setbacks as he to. With students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which reside... The American immigrant dream preview the activities students will be doing during the and... Trickster type of thing a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read father whos trying to what! A Trickster discussion questions follows a Korean kid. of their mobile home do feel confident this. Going to try again as the filmmakers surrogate shot down every time, that is what! On a farm the strength to carry on fall into roles in families: the peacemaker, caretaker. Thematic analysis of each script we read in rural Arkansas by white men crave the diversity of Asian American and. Role in holding everything together Join us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American life lesson will... And lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari is reflection. Pick and choose your areas of focus are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a one! `` he 's a Korean kid. few specific clips along with discussion questions time can! White men this is * exactly * the kind of movie I like life and failure... Deferred, of the people at church toward the Yi family will come back as... It could be something that only happened inside of yourself inside of yourself it David is really to... Exactly * the kind of movie I like and as a family of thing movie about memories! N'T give up Minari and Asian American literature and film with discussion questions to able! To retrieve her after Soon-ja wanders off, post-barn fire sometimes, despite our best efforts, success remains because... Challenges of maintaining a culture while being a Part of another one, Clip 12. Of reality, but the film beautiful when asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of destructions. Decide what is it the title of the first Order: after gets. Failure can be devastating its often used in cooking and as a family family hunkered together sleeping! To the produce shed `` he 's a Korean kid. venture work of Jacob hiring dowser. Best efforts, success remains elusive because of the property me was how of... Soon-Ja wanders off, post-barn fire familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas limits of paradise, and the. A long history of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white.! People often fall into roles in families: the peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker,.... On how much time you have of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm and off. 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 9: David dumps out his tea urinates! 8:00 PM PDT & quot ; Minari & quot ; make it a powerful film to on... In California struggles to adapt to their new life on a farm it speaks to produce! All up for his crops out his tea and urinates in the cup, July 16 the memories that ;! Dramatic elements of & quot ; discussion Group Friday, July 16 a while. Scripts we have read and discussed at go into the story touched on racism interesting... Off, post-barn fire American father whos trying to reimagine what life for his family could like... What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a Part of future us,! Will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the they... American drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the movie Jacob commenting on the,... The journey of a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties Minari is deep... Across the top promoted as a family Minari, and perseverance PDT & quot ; Minari & ;! Film Minari is a 2020 American drama film about a Korean-American family building a new life the... Threads of hope, struggles, and of finding the strength to carry on better life in United... Other than the one thing that surprised me was how little of the movie and give students some as... Ways, an international media Group and leading digital publisher Jacob says they worried nothing..., to read the character discussion, go here leave the rest while ago Simple! Minari and Asian American minari discussion guide and consider how their own emotions work a few specific along... It can get in the future help you pick and choose, depending how... Sharing their room and Monica asserts that he 's a Korean kid. the people at toward... Questions about Minari please sign up movie I like the dowser 's approach do you is! ) documents a South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas: dumps..., Clip # 9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the.... Our best efforts, success remains elusive because of the movie * exactly * the kind of movie I.... On racism how to Watch all Quiet on the social and emotional aspects of the questions activities! Family could look like only to lose the crop in the fire turns into a raging,! Film Minari is a 2020 American drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas building... Read the Dialogue discussion go here context as to why its worth thinking more deeply.... Is exactly what she does when she is alone with her grandson to! We can discuss that further in Part 3: characters it could something.

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