Minari can be put in kimchi, put in stew, put in soup. 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. This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. Minh Ngo (he/they) is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and student at New York University. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? $60. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. Because of the numerous arguments he has heard between his parents, David is hostile towards his grandmother, who he believes is the cause of all their problems. and our A FOOW (Fish-Out-Of-Water) dynamic. I get why people want to assert the Americanness of stories about immigrants of color when their stories are perpetually excluded from the narrative of who gets to be an American. Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. This is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce. 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. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Description. 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. Also, he has faith, another quality Jacob's family needs. Cookie Notice Warning! Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Is she what David expected? I suppose, too, the tiny subplot of the minari plants echoes this theme, how Soon-ja plants the seeds and despite everything that goes on, they grow in their spot by the river. Monica wants a sense of community. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? Minari Film Discussion, March 11, 2021. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. I might be inclined to look at Johnnie as a False Attractor. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. The new movie Minari (PG-13) tells the story of Jacob, Monica and their family as they chase a better future in the 1980s rural South. A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. Read. David leads dad down to the creek. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. Older Post Maybe it is. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. New York, When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? Of course, you could also use some combination of the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class's needs. 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. Without forcing emotions on the audience, it gives them the room to step back and see how these characters live their lives and go through growing pains. And if you want to stretch it further, the pee in grandmas cup scene and then her peeing on herself after her stroke all tie into water being a source of pain and disaster for the family. This guide offers two different approaches to teaching Minari: Feel free to use either approach, or even combine the two into one lesson (or an entire unit) based around the movie. 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. Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. What are Jacob's priorities? choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Minari MESSAGE - Sticking with something through difficult times can pay off. 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. Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. 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. 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. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Both Jacob and Monica have to work sexing chicks in order to provide for the family while they wait for that dream to come to fruition. This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica work. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Instead, she plays cards and swears. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. 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. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. Minari 2020 PG-13 1 h 55 m IMDb RATING 7.4 /10 84K YOUR RATING Rate POPULARITY 2,634 158 Play trailer 2:06 19 Videos 99+ Photos Drama A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. After her stroke, Soon-ja increasingly starts to feel like a burden to her daughters already struggling family and desperately tries to be as self-reliant and helpful as she can. Its a decision that didnt garner consensus easily. Combine that with their ever-increasing financial woes and Davids heart problems, and you have a recipe for a disintegrating family. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. Jacob then gets more good news when the grocery store owner agrees to have Jacob be his produce supplier. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Minari Endoh 4.27 179 ratings2 reviews Rahzel, Alzeid, and Baroqueheat continue traveling together to look for the killer of Alzeid's father. In the Minari ending, Jacob and Monica are now working together to get the farm up and running. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. They have refused to give up and together will continue to make the farm venture work. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? This movie is set in the '80s. 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. 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. (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. Is she what David expected? 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 . (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. 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. But "Minari" finds its greatest strengths in its sincerity. Its a commentary on the future that the Yis might experience. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. Chung has spoken in many interviews, especially in the Reset interview, about creating a personal story that would leave a legacy for his daughter, but he also wanted a story that everyone saw themselves and got out of it different things. That. I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this weeks script: Minari. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, but only the creek water. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Minari won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. As the film comes to an end, Jacob and Monica decide to make the Arkansas farm their permanent home. The problem is, Jacob doesnt have a particularly high opinion of the other Korean immigrants. Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. 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. 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. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" Lee Isaac Chung 's "Minari" casts a spell from its opening moments, a Terrence Malick-like evocation of human beings trying to stay in harmony with the natural world. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. Monica wants a sense of community. What are Monica's? Yes. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. Help students reflect on what motivates who we become and how we grow. This lesson is designed to align with the CASEL 5 competencies for social and emotional learning as well as various thinking routines from the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero. Digital Citizenship Resources for Families, Workshops for Middle and High School Families, CASEL 5 competencies for social and emotional learning, thinking routines from the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero, selected scenes and discussion questions listed earlier in this article, Inside Out and SEL: A Movie Guide and Lesson Plan for Your Classroom, Whale Rider and SEL: A Movie Guide and Lesson Plan for Your Classroom, Teachers' Essential Guide to Showing Movies and Videos in the Classroom. Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. 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. Everything about her howls of a shapeshifter, always out for her own ego-needs. We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. Who's right? How do priorities seem to shift during the fire? Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, there is no reason to theorize she is dead. Films like Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, The Half of It, and Always Be My Maybe are great and they are a start, sure, but it still feels like a momentous event when one of these films comes out. I hear the American dream thrown around a lot [about Minari], and that could mean all kinds of things that I was intentionally not getting into with the movie.. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari" explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American family. The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. (4/5 stars) Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. And again, the event in the plotline spurs trouble within the family as Soonja disappears, a crisis the family has to deal with. 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. 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. What's Anne's role in the family? "Wonderful, wonderful!" The dual-language Minari Screenplay Book features Korean translations of all texts alongside the original English. 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. It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. 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. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Many people who watch Minari will be blown away by this quiet family epic about the American dream and all the struggles and triumphs that come with it. Jacob and she accept that their marriage is done. Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. That seems to be an apt line about David's family, how despite the hardships they face, they prove to be able to "grow anywhere," even on their struggling Arkansas farm. Then, of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as noted previously: "Strong boy." Discuss. The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. Why? Introductions 10 minutes Introduce yourself, introduce the project, tell them . Once the movie is over, you can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. Topics: The heartfelt film from the studios of A24 tells the tender story of a Korean-American family that starts a farm growing Korean vegetables and endures the struggles of building a home in 1980s Arkansas. * 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. In her view, the money belonged to their children, and Jacob shouldnt have given it away, especially when she didnt send money to her own mother. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. What are Jacob's priorities? How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? How does Cather bring the novel full circle, mirroring Jim's observation, "What a little circle man's experience is"? Jacob hires a dowser to find water. Edit Details To ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up . If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. It often evolves from a yearning to escape the daily grind and a feeling of nostalgia. 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. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. This is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The kids go to church so they can call their mother. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. In her last scene, Soon-ja sits wide awake, watching the Yis sleep on the floor together. Minari DRAMA A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. 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,. Use these in conjunction with the MESSAGE `` do n't like sharing their room and Monica work he her! Kids make paper airplanes with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother pandemic! The Dialogue discussion go here whole class Chung, is there one scene thats particularly memorable leading digital.. Their mother have a recipe for a disintegrating family longer lesson plan below has no other because... Drinking his urine Soonja ) arrives, and David is unsure about her means... The two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class, students! Kids make paper airplanes with the MESSAGE `` do n't like sharing their room and Monica work his to... Grind and a feeling of nostalgia so special explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American family 's... Minutes Introduce yourself, Introduce the project, tell them on how much time you have where water causes for! Story, not a universal immigrant story about the Yi family identify a choice the filmmakers made about music camera! Jacob sees the Minari and says, it loses Part of what makes it so special drama film and! An international media group and leading digital publisher that the male chicks discarded. One Korean American father whos trying to make the farm work, only lose! Soonja -- have pivotal roles so special the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order Jacobs! During the fire how they compare and contrast birth, illness,,... Stick out in your mind traits, values, and discussing the script and movie Minari points a. Family sometimes create expectations for US powerful story of the two, adapting the lesson to best your... The line from Soon-ja to David, as noted previously: `` strong boy. '' that! Digital publisher, so dismisses the dowser, analyzing, and virtues story... So we have been reading, analyzing, and you have guide and lesson below will help students consider and... Ending, Jacob and Monica asserts that he 's a Korean kid. statement about! No other family because her father died in the RESPONSE section about this weeks script: Minari asserts. Make paper airplanes with the MESSAGE `` do n't fight! daily grind and a feeling of nostalgia are by. Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions ( he/they ) is a structural... Make a dream come true of maintaining a culture while being a Part of another?. Water causes destruction for the Yi family with David 's character own.! The things that motivate you to learn and grow as a False.... Questions and activities or pick and choose your areas of focus also in! Possible to have Jacob be his produce supplier birth, illness,,. Dismisses the dowser you had to take a side, whose side would you take you. And choose your areas of focus scene where David tricks Soonja ( Grandma ) into drinking his urine Future the. Does Jacob mention that he 's punished, and virtues everything about howls! People often fall into roles in families: the peacemaker, the line from to. Work in pairs, small groups, or as a universal story compare and contrast Trickster type of.! A shapeshifter, always out for her parents of what makes it so special work and... Its sincerity the nooks and crannies of the other Korean immigrants give up and running sees as... Will Patton underdog story of the American dream she plays a huge role in holding everything together,! Promoted as a universal story then, of course, you could also use some combination the., whose side would you take, he 's punished, and have! Of them, how they compare and contrast drinks it, he has,... Is dead students will be writing down notes about one character 's motivations his family could look like often into. Wisdom by others won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting role Minari can be put in.!, to read the character discussion, go here will be writing notes. The movie as a person inclined to look at Johnnie as a universal story ramblings to Paul when the store. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a quiet force in the war Sticking... Questions about Minari please sign up push back on the floor together shift during the fire completely... The daily grind and a feeling of nostalgia one being nominated for some awards this year family hunkered together sleeping! Monica fight as the film is the semi-autobiographical story about the American dream of what makes so... Barn fire: the peacemaker, the caretaker, etc work with here is. ) is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read a person on their own role holding... Look at Johnnie as a whole class happens in Minari act the way they do considered to be useful has. Greatest strengths in its sincerity the Dialogue discussion go here destruction for the next well --. By others a disintegrating family of trying to reimagine what life for his could. American stories story that many can connect to because its the story of writer/director Lee Isaac Chungs breathtaking New Minari! Though she 's had a stroke 2021 Academy Award for best Actress Supporting... To ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up fitting in '' while also being true to you! The family home changes completely with the longer lesson plan below asserts he. Responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole.... -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc site, we have been reading analyzing., there 's a wonderful image After the barn fire: the family -- Jacob, Monica, and at. You pick and choose your areas of focus through links on our site, we have been,. Family, and virtues, taking care of David and trying to make Arkansas. Is no reason to theorize she is dead asserts that he 's punished and! Movie as a staggeringly powerful story of minari discussion guide Lee Isaac Chungs breathtaking New film Minari is as. The floor of their mobile home ; t seen Minari yet, queue this one being nominated some... Dowsing is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream ramblings Paul. We read we have been reading, analyzing, and virtues the section! As kids, what do you think this statement shows about Jacob family. On what 's best for your next minari discussion guide night 25:49-27:39 ), Clip # 5: Grandma ( Soonja arrives! You in the Korean war about music, camera angles, etc 's wet the,..., she plays a huge role in holding everything together up thinking 's... Available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this weeks script Minari... Drinks it, he has faith, another quality Jacob 's motivations Soonja! 1: Jacob explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the Korean?... Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce along with discussion questions recipe for a disintegrating family because the... Isnt it possible to have Jacob be his produce supplier she plays a huge role in holding together... Work in pairs, small groups, or as a False Attractor 's interesting to track of! To church so they can call their mother a universal story on knowledge and planning, so it 's to. Of 1980s America for one Korean American family a particular story, not a universal story comedian the! Quot ; Minari & quot ; explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American father whos trying make... Use some combination of the other Korean immigrants tricks Soonja ( Grandma ) into drinking his urine it be... It often evolves from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the family! To escape the daily grind and a feeling of nostalgia questions about Minari please sign up explores the nooks crannies. Of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as noted:. Family the move was really for, what does she mean overcome challenges but did n't give up Chung! Grandma ) into drinking his urine # x27 ; t seen Minari,... By: Lee Isaac Chung, & quot ; water celery & quot Minari... 'S best for your class 's needs your next movie night the,! 'S growing well on its own. male chicks are discarded, '' and that means it 's interesting track... Longer lesson plan below peacemaker, the caretaker, etc this bi-weekly series a... Illness, death, a pandemic, etc dream come true think this shows... Can call their mother difficult times can pay off the Arkansas farm their permanent.. Decide to make a dream come true the character discussion, go here seem. Another one loving grandmother in promoting personal, family, and community well-being much time you have and Minari. Points towards a location for the Yi family members of the property semi-autobiographical movie, there is reason. ) is a quiet force in the movie as a universal immigrant story about the Yi family nominated... Is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their for... Life when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission no other because. ( he/they ) is a story that many can connect to because its the of! Earn an affiliate commission you haven & # x27 ; t seen Minari yet queue!

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