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? Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? Help students find the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles in their own lives. 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. When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. 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. If we look at the story with David as the Protagonist, there are a lot of Trickster dynamics at play. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. Who's right? David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. 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. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states' growing Korean population. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? They eventually give up and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn burn. 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. In Lee Isaac Chung 's lovely new film, it flourishes in an Arkansas creek bed . Not all Koreans have experienced immigration, but Minari will be able to resonate with all of us because it reminds us of our own childhood memories and families. Five acres is a hobby, he tells his reluctant and skeptical wife, explaining why he has acquired 50 acres of the best dirt in America. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. While she was in California, she was surrounded by other Korean expatriates, which created a sense of community. Ultimately, those distinctions don't really matter, what does is tracking the arc of key characters. Richard Brody began writing for The New Yorker in 1999. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. I only noticed how prevalent fire and, especially, water are in Minari because of the brilliant Bong-Joon-ho pointing it out in his interview with Lee Isaac Chung for Variety. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. 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. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. Here's a rundown of all those rich details that made the movie so moving: And by the way, it's possible that a few or a lot of these cultural elements aren't exclusive to the Korean community. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. Step 1: List out and order the main topics of your interview. It often evolves from a yearning to escape the daily grind and a feeling of nostalgia. Newer Post . To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Minari DISCUSSION TOPICS - Dreams, goals, life plans, death of a loved one, loneliness, disappointment, failure, follow-through, guilt, immigration, farming, Ronald Reagan, Korean War, losing faith in someone. Even if it doesnt represent the multiplicity of who we are? Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. What are some examples to support your idea? Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. -- that illustrates this time. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. Korean people use their heads." Why? A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. Based on Chung's own childhood, 'Minari' is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm. For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). Or perhaps better to think of them as you portray them: Characters evolving from one type of relationship with David to another. EVENT DATES & TIMES: Virtual screening: Saturday, May 15 between 6-10pm PST Post-movie discussion: Wednesday, May 19 from 4-5pm PST REGISTRATION Tickets are SOLD OUT. But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. While Jacob, Monica, and the children are heading to the car, Jacob gleefully talks about how this deal came at the best time. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. Directly to your inbox. We also see the Yi family sleeping on the floor together. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. 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. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. (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! And although her requests are shot down every time, that is exactly what she does when she is alone with her grandson. All rights reserved. While exploring their property with his grandmother and planting minari seeds, David gets to be a child for the first time in his life. Its a commentary on the future that the Yis might experience. I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Discuss. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. And again, the event in the plotline spurs trouble within the family as Soonja disappears, a crisis the family has to deal with. In a sense, the marketing for the film makes sense. Content warning: There are a few scenes to be aware of before you show the movie. The disconnect which all of them start to feel in their ramshackle trailer in the middle of nowhere continues to fester within Monica throughout the film. Despite these tragedies, the family comes out of it stronger than ever. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here. As the film comes to an end, Jacob and Monica decide to make the Arkansas farm their permanent home. In a recent roundtable of Asian American directors in the .css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}New York Times, Chung, in response to the idea of making a film about Asian Americans, said, I intentionally wanted to make a film about this family and not make it an identity piece. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. He has spent a decade as a sexer and strives to find something more rewarding to do than that job. But the well he digs there soon runs dry, and he has no choice but to use county water, which means that the family now has to pay for another thing that they cant afford. It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. 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. When it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. 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." Then, of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as noted previously: "Strong boy." What are Monica's? Theyll build something better from the ashes of their original missteps. I have been a life long lover of pop culture, especially television, turned that passion into writing about all things entertainment related. News & Media Literacy In their efforts to connect with the new neighbors, the Yis become a part of the local church and almost inevitably encounters casual racism, admittedly stemming from ignorance rather than malice. Please refresh the page and try again. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. Why? 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. Develop interests and a sense of purpose. 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. Monica being around also shows she is now actively supporting Jacobs dream and participating in the farm dream. To her surprise and horror, he picks the latter. When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? DISCUSSION GUIDES 1. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. 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. But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. 18. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Monica sends the children away and Jacob and her have a passionate confrontation. She lets him know that she can no longer be with him. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. The creek water provides the family with water when Jacob has used it all up for his crops. But Minari, a film made by an American, produced by an American company, and cast with American actors, was still placed in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Golden Globes. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. Minari Film Discussion, March 11, 2021. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. Minari won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role.Young David and his family move from California to Arkansas to settle in a mobile home on vacant land, which the father hopes to farm. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. 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. This also ties with the idea of the healing powers of minari, a plant that purifies the creek water. When I'm not writing about pop culture, I can be found channeling Gordon Ramsay by kicking people out the kitchen. Complex characters. Heres how it works. Develop interests and a sense of purpose. Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? Is she what David expected? Do you think this is a positive or negative thing? Is Soonja what you expected? and our Complex characters. We're about to get into spoilers from the movie, so if you haven't watched it yet, read no further! Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? * 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. 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. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Christine Elgersma is Senior Editor, Learning Content, Strategy which means she manages the newsletter about learning, edits writing about learning, and loves to learn. So anyone can pick and eat it. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? They frame the overall domain of insights you hope to uncover. When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. 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. Create something that gives this person a proper shout out. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" "Minari, Minari, Wonderful, Wonderful". Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. The plant serves as a metaphor for the Yi familys struggles to adapt to their new life and the day-to-day challenges they encounter. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Why? What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? 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. Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, there is no reason to theorize she is dead. Download. If I heard the premise without knowing anything about the movie, I would assume that dynamic would be a pretty significant narrative element, but at least as far as the script is concerned, it's pretty light. But the chest of drawers accident elicits a comment from Soon-ja: "You are a strong boy." Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? They fight. Instead, he finds water by figuring out the low grounds. Make sure to pause periodically (feel free to use the timestamps above) and give kids a chance to write or draw responses to the prompts on their handouts. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. Which brings to mind something I coined a while ago: Simple plot. This changes after Soon-Jas arrival. They'll also considerhow this might play out for others who aren't like themselves. 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. -- can shift one's priorities? Jacob and she accept that their marriage is done. This is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. Monica still wants to leave Jacob, and then all the produce is destroyed. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. 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. Monica wants a sense of community. Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. Reading scripts. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. She brings with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health. Minari MESSAGE - Sticking with something through difficult times can pay off. "Minari" is directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. How does Cather bring the novel full circle, mirroring Jim's observation, "What a little circle man's experience is"? In the meantime, I am sharing some of the best and most heartwarming quotes from the film. Things that hide are more dangerous and scary." One would think Attractor, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times Tricksters. In the closing scenes, Jacob and David visit the creek to collect minari, which have grown in abundance since Soon-ja planted them. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. NY 10036. 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. Instead, she plays cards and swears. 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. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. #1: Define goals, research questions and hypotheses with stakeholders. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. The doctors in California told Jacob and Monica that their son has a hole in his heart and will need surgery at some point. 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. So it almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be naturally recovering from his condition because of his life in Arkansas. He adamantly thinks that Soon-ja is not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies. Why? Social & Emotional Learning. 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. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. If you only have a single class period, showing just a few key clips below might be perfect. It's the characters which drive the narrative and create strong moments of emotional resonance which make this story special. Start with the foundations of your research project: You may download the screenplay here. 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. Jacob and Monica mark the place with a stone, implying that the farm will be their home from now on. But such polemical certainty cramps the . Tricksters can also act as allies and that is an example of such a moment. Young David and his family move from California to Arkansas to settle in a mobile home on vacant land, which the father hopes to farm. His religious take on reality stretches credibility, but he is loyal and steadfast, which are qualities Jacob and his family will need to survive on the farm. Theres so much more to it than that. What unies the narrative? As in the film, it grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. Meanwhile, grandma Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung) faces a trash fire that becomes uncontrollable. July 20, 2022 By Berkeley Food Institute. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Does she find it at church? Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. 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. Chung based the film on what he remembers . published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. Is she what David expected? Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. Support students' learning, and find the best video streaming sites for schools and classrooms. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? That. February 12, 2021 The open, green plot of land that the Yi family moves to at the start of Minari represents something different to each member. Common Sense Media. But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. Besides, he also said that before the final editing there was a scene showing she was alive. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. 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. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. What are Jacob's priorities? Is there a "right"? It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. (1:31:41-1:35:41), Clip #15: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. They study film and television and are interesting in directing. 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. 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. 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? Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? Lists with This Book This book is not yet featured on Listopia. This movie is set in the '80s. The plot changes gears following the introduction of Monicas mother Soon-ja and her limitless optimism. 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. 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. Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari" explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American family. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? 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 . Integrate their personal and social identities. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants .