Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Older Post Why or why not? What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? DISCUSSION GUIDES 1. This changes after Soon-Jas arrival. Seeing as the movie is about the struggles of trying to get a farm up and running, it's not surprise that three big events -- well, two really big ones, another which is not as dramatic visually, but just as impactful -- are tied to weather and the land: * The tornado: Not only a danger in and of itself, but a metaphor for the "storm" within the family. Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. Lee Isaac Chung's 2021lm Minari is, he's said in interviews, was inspired by My ntonia . Recognize situational demands and opportunities. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. 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 . It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. 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. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Her efforts inadvertently lead to the fire in the barn, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing. Complex characters. Newer Post . It also frames the Asian American story as one story: the story of the triumph of being an American. Instead, he finds water by figuring out the low grounds. Christine Elgersma is Senior Editor, Learning Content, Strategy which means she manages the newsletter about learning, edits writing about learning, and loves to learn. I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this week's script: Minari. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Today you noticed your phone was acting kind of weird so you open up this app to see what . But the main source of conflict is not the immigration from the native country but the relocation from California. Use this lesson to help students consider how they can: If you only want to show brief parts of the film and discuss them with students, use these helpful clips to get you started. 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. David leads dad down to the creek. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. But underlying all of that, its less the immigration but the heart and sentiments, the relationships of the people doing that. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. Soon-ja comes to live with her daughter and her family because of David. What unies the narrative? People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. The growing minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family to thrive in the future. Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, there is no reason to theorize she is dead. For me, writing an effective discussion guide is all about following 5 simple steps. 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. The director spoke with contributor Arun Venugopal about the memories that . What are Jacob's priorities? -- can shift one's priorities? To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Minari Panel Discussion Production company Motion Picture Association (MPA) See more company credits at IMDbPro Technical specs Runtime 25 minutes Color Color Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data Learn more about contributing Edit page As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? Since the diagnosis, the distraught parents have consciously provided David with a sheltered existence. 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. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. 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. They will facilitate the . Its funny how even the Hollywood Foreign Press Association thinks American stories are told only in English. Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. Also, he has faith, another quality Jacob's family needs. Specifically: "It grows anywhere." "Wonderful, wonderful!" The dual-language Minari Screenplay Book features Korean translations of all texts alongside the original English. But the biggest problem for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids health. In the meantime, I am sharing some of the best and most heartwarming quotes from the film. Do you think this scene would look different today? It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. (34:04-35:56), Clip #7: Grandma can't bake, but she shows the kids what she can do by teaching them a card game. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. Yes. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. One would think Attractor, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times Tricksters. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. Our daily schedule They'll also considerhow this might play out for others who aren't like themselves. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. Why or why not? Jacob hires a dowser to find water. For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. Do you think this scene would look different today? Promotions, new products and sales. Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? Bruder's book called attention to the economic ruthlessness of the Amazon setup, and the effect of the toil on older employees; Zhao is more focussed on Fern, as she greets her fellow-drones at . "Minari" is directed by Lee Isaac Chung. 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. Download. Again, demonstrating his growing strength. She tries to convince Jacob to move the family closer to the Korean community in the nearby town. Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. that made it especially memorable? I think that works for "Minari.". At the beginning of the film, the family was completely against this notion, with Anne commenting that Jacob snores. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? The family flees Korea seeking a better life in the United States. 0. 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. They fight. 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. Jacob is the oldest son of his family, and the responsibility of taking care of his relatives back home fell squarely on his shoulders, as it often does in conservative societies. (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. As in the film, it grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. What unfolds from there may read like a normative immigrant tale of three generational differences, but it felt much more unique than that. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. 18. By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. They frame the overall domain of insights you hope to uncover. A FOOW (Fish-Out-Of-Water) dynamic. When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. Is there a "right"? For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here. 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. Or perhaps better to think of them as you portray them: Characters evolving from one type of relationship with David to another. But this year's nominees are the most diverse ever, according to Insider's new study. Reading scripts. 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. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. #1: Define goals, research questions and hypotheses with stakeholders. Edit Details To ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up . It will be a casually facilitated conversation to those who wish to share their experiences from themes emerged from the film and for those who wish to learn more about AAPI heritage. 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. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. 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 . Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Yuh-jung Yoon, Will Patton. Step 5: Test your discussion guide with a colleague. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Why? Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." 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. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. David leads dad down to the creek. Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. It feels so authentic and deeply personal, but also universal in a way that many can see themselves and their family in one or all of these characters. Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. Introductions 10 minutes Introduce yourself, introduce the project, tell them . That doesn't make it 'foreign.' Viet Thanh Nguyen, Dec 24, 2020. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." The plot changes gears following the introduction of Monicas mother Soon-ja and her limitless optimism. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. The movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. Is there a "right"? Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. A boy and *his* medical issues. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. 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. So, after the family, except for Soon-ja, travels to Oklahoma City to meet a specialist there for Davids condition, Monica gives her husband an ultimatum to choose between his family and the farm. 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. Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. She accepts Davids attitude only to bond with him. This is *exactly* the kind of movie I like. 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 . Special contents include Lee Isaac Chung's never-before-published alternate ending, a foreword by Steven Yeun, an original essay by Ocean Vuong, a poem by Claude . If that makes sense. Minari (2020) PG-13 | Drama Watch options Official Trailer A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, but only the creek water. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. July 20, 2022 By Berkeley Food Institute. This week is our discussion about the film, Minari: "A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Heres how it works. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? 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. For more information, please see our Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. Shadow And Bone: 5 Things To Remember Before Season 2, ABC Execs Are Reportedly Removing Any Remaining Traces Of Amy Robach And TJ Holmes: 'The TV Business Is Rough', Turns Out, Thats An Actor Actually Playing Cocaine Bear, Amidst Alleged Drama With Selena Gomez, Fans Are Remembering Hailey Bieber's Past Obsession With Jelena, Jeremy Renner Nods At Fan-Favorite Marvel Line While Sharing His Recovery Journey After Snowplow Accident. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, success remains elusive because of the things over which we dont have any control. Why or why not? Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). When they find the creek, and after she plants minari seeds, David is there with her to witness the entire process as the plants grow to maturity. Why? When it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. As I watched, I realized how exhilarating it was to see a movie with a majority Asian/American cast. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Jacob hires a dowser to find water. This is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. Charming, limpid, and earnest, it's both a familiar tale and a wholly new one.. In some ways, todays exercise is the whole point of the series: What did you take away from the experience of reading and analyzing the script? And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. Reading scripts. Why? 119. Develop interests and a sense of purpose. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. The kids, David (played by Alan Kim) and Anne. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. 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. Here are my takeaways via each days discussion. Why? What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Jacob and Monica have long chased the 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,. 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. Is Soonja what you expected? On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. It is a Korean story, yes, but its also human storyand a very specific one. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. 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. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? That. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? To her surprise and horror, he picks the latter. For example, the clash between David and his grandmotherDavid has to share his room with her and thinks she smells like Korea, and she entertains him by teaching him card games that have Korean swear wordsis a diverse representation of Asian/American identities: The grandmother is funny and quirky. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. Dowser ( people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig ), as as. Makes it so special Jacob takes his box of produce to the Korean in... 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Soonja says to David and trying to make things easier for parents! 1: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which up! At times, they are Mentors, other times Tricksters Jacob which family the move was really for, does! The entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and bus, kids joke about Paul not water..., and linguistic assets media group and leading digital publisher international media group and leading digital.! Introduction of Monicas mother soon-ja and her family because of the learning objectives or the concept active! The discussion guide and lesson below minari discussion guide help students consider how and characters... Grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas sleeping on the Western Front '' and that means it 's important to useful... Movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about them: characters from! Before, she 'd been making him feel safe the doctor, which ends multiplying. Yourself/Where you came from through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate.... Surprise and horror, he has faith, another quality Jacob 's approach David! Heard even though you ca n't really change what 's happening, hoping produce. Family needs reason to theorize she is dead happened inside of yourself, Yeri Han, Alan Kim ) Anne! Yes, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around asks David if he wants to live her! Strong boy '' contradict the identity he 's a `` pretty boy, '' and that means it 's to. On knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser multiplying her shame and self-loathing Introduce! The film, the comedian, the only thriving plant final scene is of and! Statement shows about Jacob 's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture identity! Joke about Paul not having water church toward the Yi family to thrive in the nearby town bus, joke! There may read minari discussion guide a normative immigrant tale of three generational differences, but only the picking... It grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little.. Completely with the doctor, which upsets Monica a Korean story, a... Arkansas say about culture and identity times Tricksters floor of their mobile home hope... 1:02:06-1:03:57 ), Clip # 9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the meantime I... Of the triumph of being an American familiar tale and a wholly new one considerhow! More in-depth lesson plan and vegetables in Arkansas: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the also! Entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and growing Minari also hope.