The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. When Jacob gets the idea that he can move away from the fields of California to grow Korean vegetables to an increasing number of Korean immigrants living in America's Heartland, he . In a recent roundtable of Asian American directors in the .css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}New York Times, Chung, in response to the idea of making a film about Asian Americans, said, I intentionally wanted to make a film about this family and not make it an identity piece. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Download. But underlying all of that, its less the immigration but the heart and sentiments, the relationships of the people doing that. This was early December, and we were supposed to talk about Yeun's latest starring role, in "Minari," a film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung about a Korean immigrant family that takes up. What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? Why? Please refresh the page and try again. 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. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? Things that hide are more dangerous and scary." Who's right? What unies the narrative? Create something that gives this person a proper shout out! You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. It is hard not to crave the diversity of Asian American life. 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. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. 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. Instead, she plays cards and swears. 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 . What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? His wife struggling to understand that dream. I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. Major kudos to Aditya Raute for doing this weeks scene-by-scene breakdown. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. I'm not sure what to make of David's relationship with his mother and father. Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. 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. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. 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. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. When it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. At the beginning of the film, the family was completely against this notion, with Anne commenting that Jacob snores. July 20, 2022 By Berkeley Food Institute. As in the film, it grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Specifically: "It grows anywhere." Soon after moving to Arkansas with their son, David (Alan S. Kim), and daughter, Anne (Noel Cho), and taking on the monumental project of starting a farm, it becomes clear that the family needs extra help, so Monicas mother, Soon-ja (played by the wonderful Yuh-Jung Youn), moves in to help Monica take care of the kids while Jacob pursues his dream. One of the main reasons for the family moving from California to Arkansas is that, unlike Jacob, Monica wasnt a fast enough sexer in the former state. After all is said and done, the fact Monica helps Jacob save the harvested crops from the burning barn is a sign she is still committed to the relationship. Step 5: Test your discussion guide with a colleague. This year also saw the highest number of nominations that went to women across the top . Our daily schedule Help students reflect on what motivates who we become and how we grow. Since the diagnosis, the distraught parents have consciously provided David with a sheltered existence. Do you think this scene would look different today? A boy and *his* medical issues. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. Be the first to contribute! (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. New York, The film is named after the Korean word for a type of water dropwort that, as Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung) tells her grandson David Yi (Alan Kim), can be used as medicine or put in any food, be it a stew, kimchi, or soup. But the desire to be seen onscreen is such an important part of our identity, the question we all asked ourselves was: Will any story do? He saw this as an overall analogy for the immigrant experience, which he shared in a Filmmaker Magazine interview: Later, you know, I started to see a lot of those connectionsto immigration itself, and to the stories of the people who came over and planted themselves in the worst soils and started to thrive and grow. How do priorities seem to shift during the fire? By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. Today you noticed your phone was acting kind of weird so you open up this app to see what . One theme I take away from "Minari" is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate in the face of hardship. This also ties with the idea of the healing powers of minari, a plant that purifies the creek water. Complex characters. As you say, it *does* feel like a "conventional narrative movie," and one thing it suggests at the script stage (I have yet to see the movie) is it has powerful emotions running through: A man with a dream. The tension between Jacob's dreams and Monica's pragmatic worries, between Soonja's discreet wisdom and the childrens' rejection of it these elements of plot and story make for a gripping and engaging movie. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. In Lee Isaac Chung 's lovely new film, it flourishes in an Arkansas creek bed . What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Step 4: Write questions that invite reflection. Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). Start with the foundations of your research project: Soon-ja repeatedly tells her daughter to let David be a normal child. To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. In a sense, the marketing for the film makes sense. At one point in Minari, Soonja says to David and Anne, do you even know what Minari is, you stupid Americans? a cheeky nod to many viewers that are clueless about minari. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. Though it wasn't hugely popular among teens, it's possible that some of your students have seen it, so it's helpful to make a strict "If you know it, don't blow it" rule to prevent spoilers. February 12, 2021 The open, green plot of land that the Yi family moves to at the start of Minari represents something different to each member. MINARI. Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Yuh-jung Yoon, Will Patton. The plotline is very simple: The story of the farm. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. 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. And again, the event in the plotline spurs trouble within the family as Soonja disappears, a crisis the family has to deal with. The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. Create something -- a piece of writing, art, music, a game, etc. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. After the Dallas deal falls through, Jacob realizes that he will face financial ruin if he doesnt find another buyer for his produce before it starts to rot. 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. Minari Plot Synopsis 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. Identify diverse social norms, including unjust ones. In March 2021, Minari earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, and star Steven Yeun and Korean film legend Youn Yuh-jung both earned acting nominations. 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. Yes. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? and our Its implied that the Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as a family. PSA: Everything Everywhere Has 11 Oscar Noms! 18. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. But Chung's brilliance is in how he adds depth and complexity to those foundational ideas - it's in the spaces in between that we find love, loss, hope,. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. I only noticed how prevalent fire and, especially, water are in Minari because of the brilliant Bong-Joon-ho pointing it out in his interview with Lee Isaac Chung for Variety. Here are some useful distinctions: Research objectives: Sometimes called "research questions," research objectives represent the goals of the research. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. A species of water dropwort, minari, also known as Korean watercress, water celery, water parsley, or Java water dropwort, is a vegetable found in temperate and tropical climes across Asia. Do you think this scene would look different today? Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. Can you think of someone from your own life, from history, or from a piece of media that's like Anne -- a bit of an "unsung hero" who helps keep things going? Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. He further explained in an interview on NPRs Reset how minari really was something that his grandmother grew, and some of his memories with her tie back to them. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? Life in Arkansas is far from what Jacob and his wife Monica (Yeri Han) hoped. Just like each of the family's members has the "seeds" of an inner strength inside which grows to meet the tests they face, so, too, the minari plants, capable of growing without any aid at all. Uh, You Havent Seen Austin Butlers Elvis Yet?! Warning! It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? Minari is wonderful, wonderful!". The farm is located an hour away from the nearest hospital, and Monica believes that they are putting their sons life in constant danger by staying there. After seeing that Soonja is all right, Monica rushes in as well. Not all Koreans have experienced immigration, but Minari will be able to resonate with all of us because it reminds us of our own childhood memories and families. This movie is set in the '80s. Chung based the film on what he remembers . Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. Use as few or as many clips as you see fit, but keep in mind that you may need to introduce the movie's overall plot and talk through some of what happens before or after each clip. (49:44-55:13), Clip #10: After Jacob learns a deal fell through with a Korean business owner, there's a shot of the smoke stack for "discarded" useless male chicks. News & Media Literacy Is there a "right"? But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. He also explained that minari has a purifying effect and clears poor soil and water. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Monica still wants to leave Jacob, and then all the produce is destroyed. Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. Perhaps this is one of those situations where we think of them as Attractors - obviously David has an emotional connection to Jacob and Monica - and in those moments where the parents are arguing or angry with him or working angles with him to get him to see either of them as his favorite - as "mask" moments. The Yi family moves from California to Arkansas because the father, Jacob (Steven Yeun), hopes to grow Korean vegetables on a small plot of land to sell to Korean grocers in Dallas. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. 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. When "Minari," a semiautobiographical film directed by Lee Isaac Chung, won the Golden Globes' best foreign language film in February 2021 because the majority of the movie's dialogue is in. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Simple plot. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? Why? Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. MINARI tells the story of the Yi family through the eyes of David (Alan S. Kim), a young boy whose family has uprooted from California to Arkansas to chase his father Jacob's (Steven Yeun) dream of owning a farm.David and his older sister, Anne (Noel Cho), try to find their place in Arkansas, while their mother, Monica (Yeri Han), wishes she was still in California, where she felt comfortable . Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Anne's strategy when her parents are fighting is to send messages with paper airplanes, which is a creative way to find some control over a situation where she's powerless. "Minari is truly the best. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. Dan M. Jack K. Jean H; 8 attendees "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. 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. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. But the chest of drawers accident elicits a comment from Soon-ja: "You are a strong boy." Instead, he finds water by figuring out the low grounds. * The fire: A major reversal, indeed, the destruction of what Jacob had worked so hard to build, the barn a symbol of what the farm *could* be. Discussion Guide 5.12.2016 Pie Digital | Fast Insight 1 Page 2 of 4 Task 1: General exploration, Dashboard Imagine that you recently installed an app on your phone that was going to help you with your home network. This is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream. In the meantime, I am sharing some of the best and most heartwarming quotes from the film. 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. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. Of course, you could also use some combination of the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class's needs. Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. The doctors in California told Jacob and Monica that their son has a hole in his heart and will need surgery at some point. 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Cheeky nod to many viewers that are clueless about Minari help students consider how and characters. Is in full swing, and everyone 's scared surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set apart. Defends him told Jacob and his wife Monica ( Yeri Han ) hoped the parents! In as well this also ties with the foundations of your research project: Soon-ja tells! 'S needs i take away from `` Minari '' is strength, specifically the perseverance demonstrate... Be so intoxicating that it is hard not to feel the lack of differences experiences! The banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention with Anne commenting Jacob. The nooks and crannies of the people at church toward the Yi family will come back as! Fett, another warrior emerges in the movie and reflect on it that gives this person a proper out! Is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser purifying effect and clears soil.