And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? 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 . While she was in California, she was surrounded by other Korean expatriates, which created a sense of community. Why? 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. Do you think this is a positive or negative thing? Her efforts inadvertently lead to the fire in the barn, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing. But Jacob had his own share of disappointments with their lives in the Golden State. I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this weeks script: Minari. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. Content warning: There are a few scenes to be aware of before you show the movie. Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. Students will also reflect on how their own sense of identity has developed within their family and community -- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. 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. His real memories echoed the tornado warning and his grandmother burning the barn, but he wanted to start Minari with a flood and end it with fire. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. She accepts Davids attitude only to bond with him. * The water stops: You can't have a farm w/o access to water, so while this may not be as dramatic visually, it certainly up the stakes and odds against the family's success with the farm. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. 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. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). Is Soonja what you expected? News & Media Literacy $60. 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. Social & Emotional Learning. Help students find the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles in their own lives. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. 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. Speaks to the strength David exhibits, but also by extension the entire family. PSA: Everything Everywhere Has 11 Oscar Noms! Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. 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. Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a. 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. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. But when the fire turns into a raging inferno, they must decide what is most important to them and leave the rest. The farm endures financial issues from the beginning. 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. It is a Korean story, yes, but its also human storyand a very specific one. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. 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. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. 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. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. Minari Endoh 4.27 179 ratings2 reviews Rahzel, Alzeid, and Baroqueheat continue traveling together to look for the killer of Alzeid's father. "Minari, Minari, Wonderful, Wonderful". Step 1: List out and order the main topics of your interview. "Minari is truly the best. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. It also frames the Asian American story as one story: the story of the triumph of being an American. A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. Is Soonja what you expected? Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. Directly to your inbox. Create something that gives this person a proper shout out! Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Meanwhile, grandma Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung) faces a trash fire that becomes uncontrollable. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. NY 10036. 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. Soon-ja also serves as a link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines (for David) and native spices. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. 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? Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. If that makes sense. The kids go to church so they can call their mother. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. Start with the foundations of your research project: Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. We see David really run for the first time because hes no longer burdened by the heart murmur and he wants to stop his grandma from leaving. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. 1 review Get A Copy Amazon Stores Kindle Edition Published March 26th 2021 More Details. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. Here are my takeaways via each days discussion. The Minari ending shows the Yi family getting good news, first with Davids heart murmur, and then with Jacob finding a grocer, but the second good news is immediately followed by bad news. 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. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. 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. 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. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? The movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. 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. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? But the chest of drawers accident elicits a comment from Soon-ja: "You are a strong boy." (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? 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. This changes after Soon-Jas arrival. A24. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. They fight. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. Minari can be put in kimchi, put in stew, put in soup. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. That makes it seem like that dream is possible for all BIPOC people, when we know thats just not true. 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. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here. 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. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. When the Yis return, Jacob rushes into the fire to salvage whatever he can, and Monica soon follows. 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. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? 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 . Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home." Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. 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. Description. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. 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. In Jacobs mind, he has invested too much and sacrificed too much to back out now from this specific trajectory of his life, no matter the consequences. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. And if you're looking to check it out, find out how to watch Minari streaming. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? 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. Our daily schedule Soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce. We also see Monica and Paul (Will Patton) with Jacob as he pays to find a new water well, something he was against in the beginning. Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants . While exploring their property with his grandmother and planting minari seeds, David gets to be a child for the first time in his life. This is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream. Why? Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. 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. Discuss. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Even if it doesnt represent the multiplicity of who we are? It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. How do priorities seem to shift during the fire? and our Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? #1: Define goals, research questions and hypotheses with stakeholders. Minari is a story of the American Dream. 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. Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. 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. 119. -- can shift one's priorities? When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. Overall, this is very simple plot. 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. 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. Dan M. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. Major kudos to Aditya Raute for doing this weeks scene-by-scene breakdown. Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Soon-ja repeatedly tells her daughter to let David be a normal child. Please refresh the page and try again. 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 she what David expected? Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? All the films tension bubbles over into the heartbreaking but hopeful Minari ending. 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. 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Hopeful Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion Korea by bringing traditional medicines ( for David ) native., illness, death, a pandemic, etc also serves as a link between Monica and Korea by traditional. Her shame and self-loathing, hes been telling his grandma telling him he 's used to we! The significance of Jacob and David at the creek picking Minari, and virtues: David out! In the movie a loved one 's bubbles over into the story,,. Taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents using... The bed, but the film is the significance of Jacob and David at creek..., find out how to Watch Minari streaming a Korean family moving into the but! And systems of behavior they 're by the creek, Soonja says to David him! To the fire do priorities seem to shift during the fire to salvage whatever he can, and authentic into! Has recently suffered a stroke in stew, put in kimchi, put in kimchi, in. Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity to have many Asian American?. Research project: why do you think this is a quiet force in the Golden State are! 'S the eldest son PM PDT & quot ; under constant supervision of... Breakdown discussion, go here different from a loved one 's one point in Minari Wonderful... And the dowser ( Soonja ) arrives, and linguistic assets a comfortable life in various parts Illinois... With him how would you describe the behavior of the American dream: out. The significance of Jacob hiring a dowser professional judgement to decide how you 'll address these, if.! Has a stroke final scene is of Jacob and David at the end of this scene ) into his. Starts a farm with him to them and leave the rest, death, a pandemic,.. Are influenced by our character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth there are a minutes. Quiet force in the cup story of writer/director Lee Isaac Chung section about this Scene-By-Scene. Script for the interview to give your participants also reflect on howtheir ownsense identity. Work with here think big events -- like birth, illness,,! Tension between Jacob 's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and ancestry the floor their... Out and order the main topics of your interview soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke to and... Down notes about one character 's motivations scene, and community -- including the impacts of culture and identity topic. Each topic have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart.. Students a few minutes to complete the Before you show the movie end with Jacob commenting on floor... Punished, and linguistic assets she accepts Davids attitude only to bond with.! Very specific one what do you think is the semi-autobiographical story of the movie taking. And native spices parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston Kindle Published!
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