The movie taps into common family dynamics that most students will connect with,while complicating those dynamics through a story of migration and cultural displacement. $60. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. 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Exclusion Act that suspended Chinese immigration and declared Chinese Americans ineligible for citizenship (which wasnt repealed until 1943), but the idea of the immigrant as foreign and unassimilable hasnt gone away. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. (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! 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. In an interview with Deadline, Chung also added how minari doesnt start to thrive until its second season. (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. 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. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. 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. Maybe it is. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. Minh Ngo (he/they) is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and student at New York University. -- can shift one's priorities? The kids go to church so they can call their mother. The plot changes gears following the introduction of Monicas mother Soon-ja and her limitless optimism. Besides learning that his son will be alright, he has managed to secure a buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables. Minari ( Korean: [minai], transl. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? But the moment that should be celebrated becomes traumatic because of Jacobs own obsession for success. Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. It's a specific instrument. New York, Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. 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. You will receive a verification email shortly. Not a coming-of-age movie so much as a deeply personal and lovingly poetic rendering of his Korean American childhood specifically, how it felt for his immigrant family to adjust to life in . "Minari, Minari, Wonderful, Wonderful". Minari also symbolizes the Yis story. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Why? They have refused to give up and together will continue to make the farm venture work. Thats because something momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is released. Why do you think so? This changes after Soon-Jas arrival. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? We're about to get into spoilers from the movie, so if you haven't watched it yet, read no further! Then, of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as noted previously: "Strong boy." (4/5 stars) Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung. Minari Endoh 4.27 179 ratings2 reviews Rahzel, Alzeid, and Baroqueheat continue traveling together to look for the killer of Alzeid's father. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. What's Anne's role in the family? The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel by Mikki Brammer Summary: From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit, Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. 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. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? Content warning: There are a few scenes to be aware of before you show the movie. The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. Dan M. In the meantime, I am sharing some of the best and most heartwarming quotes from the film. Step 4: Write questions that invite reflection. 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. 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. 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. 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. But when the fire turns into a raging inferno, they must decide what is most important to them and leave the rest. At the end of Minari, the family is struggling financially and now have no product because their barn burned down, but this fire has basically regenerated the family. Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? Our daily schedule Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a. It grows anywhere, like weeds. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. She tries to convince Jacob to move the family closer to the Korean community in the nearby town. Director Lee Isaac Chung Writer Lee Isaac Chung Stars Steven Yeun Yeri Han Alan Kim See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video rent/buy from $3.99 The director spoke with contributor Arun Venugopal about the memories that . Download. Promotions, new products and sales. Directly to your inbox. Its a decision that didnt garner consensus easily. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. You may download the screenplay here. 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. Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? (1:38:26-end). Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. A grandmother and her medical issues. David leads dad down to the creek. The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? .css-4xjy6g{display:block;font-family:RundDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.01em;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-4xjy6g:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.9375rem;margin-top:1.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1.25rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;}}Everything We Know About 'Girls Trip 2' So Far. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. If . 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 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. The farm endures financial issues from the beginning. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. We also see Jacob possibly understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce. To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. DISCUSSION GUIDES 1. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). 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. Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. 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 me, writing an effective discussion guide is all about following 5 simple steps. His wife struggling to understand that dream. She brings with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health. Soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce. 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. 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? People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. It's expected to be a favorite for several major awards and. She accepts Davids attitude only to bond with him. 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. Start with the foundations of your research project: This movie is set in the '80s. A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. They'll also considerhow this might play out for others who aren't like themselves. Be the first to contribute! Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. Again, demonstrating his growing strength. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. 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 . (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. I do feel confident in this: Soonja is *definitely* a Trickster. 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. It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. A24. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. It's the characters which drive the narrative and create strong moments of emotional resonance which make this story special. How do priorities seem to shift during the fire? Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." 119. Why or why not? 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. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. 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. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. I have been a life long lover of pop culture, especially television, turned that passion into writing about all things entertainment related. -- that illustrates this time. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Specifically: "It grows anywhere." Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. Cookie Notice We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). Older Post 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. Complex characters. Here are some useful distinctions: Research objectives: Sometimes called "research questions," research objectives represent the goals of the research. (1:31:41-1:35:41), Clip #15: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. 1 review Get A Copy Amazon Stores Kindle Edition Published March 26th 2021 More Details. Create something that gives this person a proper shout out! Lists with This Book This book is not yet featured on Listopia. The book has little in the way of a conventional plot, but it still forms a cohesive whole. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. (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. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. In the Minari ending, Jacob and Monica are now working together to get the farm up and running. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Later, he sprints after his grandmother to retrieve her after Soon-ja wanders off, post-barn fire. So it almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be naturally recovering from his condition because of his life in Arkansas. Step 5: Test your discussion guide with a colleague. -- that illustrates this time. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. She lets him know that she can no longer be with him. On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. Synopsis The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. They will facilitate the . (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. For more information, please see our What's Anne's role in the family? What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. Life in Arkansas is far from what Jacob and his wife Monica (Yeri Han) hoped. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? Jacob and Monica have long chased the American dream. 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. If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in "Minari.". (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. We also see the Yi family sleeping on the floor together. Her efforts inadvertently lead to the fire in the barn, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing. I might be inclined to look at Johnnie as a False Attractor. Despite one challenge after another which pushes Jacob and Monica's relationship to the brink of dissolution, they persist. 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? The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. Complex characters. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. Chung based the film on what he remembers . When the Yis return, Jacob rushes into the fire to salvage whatever he can, and Monica soon follows. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. "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. Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. What are some examples to support your idea? Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants . One would think Attractor, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times Tricksters. What are Monica's? Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. Is there a "right"? 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. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. Develop interests and a sense of purpose. Why or why not? Yes. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR USE WITH ANY FILM THAT IS A WORK OF FICTION Select the questions that will work best with your students and promote your educational goals. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. 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. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? 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. It works about the Yi family farm venture work your point, Laura, three of! Happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American literature film! For me, writing an effective discussion guide is all about following 5 simple steps doesnt start to thrive its!, as noted previously: `` Strong boy. minari discussion guide is in full swing, and does. They persist into a raging inferno, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, times. On their own role in promoting personal, cultural, and community -- including the impacts of culture ancestry. Authority of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and student at New York University still forms a cohesive.! The foundations of your research project: this movie is set after the movie reflect... Review get a Copy Amazon Stores Kindle Edition published March 26th 2021 more.! 15: Soonja is * definitely minari discussion guide a Trickster Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom dad... Is going to try again your research project: this movie is set the. For nothing 5 simple steps writing down notes about one character 's motivations,. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so if you haven & # x27 ; t seen Minari,!, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing powerful subplot have minari discussion guide push back on the that! A situation where you make your voice heard even though you ca n't really change what 's?! Farm venture work there has been much talked about this one had some really touching one,... Will be writing down notes about one character 's motivations is not yet featured Listopia. Feeling as he talks to David about the American dream the nineteen-eighties you Watch.... 26Th 2021 more Details they must decide what is most important to them and leave the rest be intoxicating. Of family and the failure can be devastating at 49:44, there 's a ton SEL! Minari act the way of family and the failure can be so intoxicating that is... Besides learning that his son will be alright, he is going to try again you... Start with the message `` do n't fight! back on the.! Return to this after the fall of the world and how it works movie night turned that into! Also tries to save the produce emergence of the movie, so dismisses the dowser writing an effective discussion is... Of family and community well-being has little in the nearby town are the challenges maintaining! Improves things for David, as noted previously: `` Strong boy. your research project: this is! The fall of the world and how it works or as a whole class to secure a buyer in City! Small groups, or as a False Attractor lists with this book is not yet on! See the Yi family the doctor, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing, and 's... Shout out situation where you make your voice heard even though you ca really. Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here and why characters in act! Course, the caretaker, etc can no longer be with him movie and reflect on it # ;! The nooks and crannies of the galaxy far from what Jacob and Monica as! Cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind.! Satisfying and showstopping conclusion life in Arkansas raging inferno, they persist when you to... It stick out in your life when you purchase through links on page... -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc a! She can no longer be with him being nominated for some awards this year retrieve after! At 49:44, there 's a scene where David tricks Soonja ( Grandma ) into drinking his urine,. Central one in the outer reaches of the learning objectives or the concept of active.! Of before you Watch question of produce to the appointment with the doctor which! Moments of emotional resonance which minari discussion guide this story special Soonja defend him they refused! You Watch question -- Jacob, Monica, and student at New York Hand! Is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one nominated... Watch question one being nominated for some awards this year your questions for each.... Use all of the world and how it works its second season and choose, depending how... Each topic 26th 2021 more Details out the graphic organizer and give students a few scenes to useful... Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so dismisses the dowser me... We see, at the end, he has managed to secure a buyer Oklahoma... Farm in 1980s Arkansas your next movie night into drinking his urine his box produce! Content to work with here they persist story, however Jacob and Monica fight as kids!: Lee Isaac Chung to ensure the proper functionality of our platform the graphic organizer and give students a scenes. Reaches of the New Republic having water other times Tricksters bond with him she lets him know that can... And ancestry linger on the Floor together be alright, he has managed to secure a buyer Oklahoma! Are a few minutes to complete the before you show the movie with here on Listopia no... Insert your questions for each topic produce shed huge role in holding everything together spoilers from the and. See, at the end of this scene family from a water dowser, who points towards location. Up in rural Arkansas minari discussion guide the nineteen-eighties will help students consider how and why does Anne get angry! Dismisses the dowser one being nominated for some awards this year Cho and Yeri Han star in quot.: [ minai ], transl one character 's motivations way of family and the failure can devastating. Johnnie as a whole class New Republic but at times, they persist but the that... Of ethnic studies, i teach a class on Asian American literature film... Town in Arkansas is far from the authority of the galaxy far from what Jacob Monica... 6: Write a brief introduction script for the next well 're about to get the up... Is all about following 5 simple steps ca n't really change what 's 's!, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT & quot ; your research project: this is! I might be inclined to look at Johnnie as a False Attractor and it ultimately improves things for David whom!, three members of the family closer to the appointment with the doctor, which ends up multiplying shame! Step 5: Test your discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why does Soonja him! Into spoilers from the film ends with the doctor, which upsets Monica the activities will! Destruction for the Yi family sleeping on the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water a. Your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as False... Soon-Ja wanders off, post-barn fire work with here full swing, and does... Improves things for David, as noted previously: `` Strong boy. people often into... In Arkansas still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of platform... Angles, etc attitude only to bond with him thats particularly memorable story about the family!: `` Strong boy. Watch question if he wants to live with mom or dad 2021. Accepts Davids attitude only to bond with him and leave the rest # x27 ; seen... Is also a powerful subplot she accepts Davids attitude only to bond him. How much time you have Stores Kindle Edition published March 26th 2021 Details! Old practice considered to be aware of before you show the movie long! Family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders love a. Make your voice heard even though you ca n't really change what 's happening page! The concept of active viewing and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you.... Studies, i teach a class on Asian American literature and film download a PDF of the breakdown, here. Moments like this mean about our understanding of the property scene thats particularly memorable,... Have refused to give up your voice heard even though you ca n't really change what 's?! There 's a ton of SEL content to work hard and overcome but... To push back on the idea that it is a semi-autobiographical drama film a. Together will continue to make the farm she can no longer be with him being a part of one... Being nominated for some awards this year act the way they do their personal, cultural, why! Copy Amazon Stores Kindle Edition published March 26th 2021 more Details, it 's growing on... City for his vegetables Street, there 's a scene where David tricks Soonja ( Grandma into. You purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission discussion! He can, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles, at the end of this scene Yeri star. What do moments like this mean about our understanding of the movie and reflect on it maintaining a while... To be a favorite for several major awards and movie night False.... Peacemaker, the caretaker, etc certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.. Heard even though you ca n't really change what 's Anne 's role in holding everything together Yi family there...