She brings with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. 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. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. They'll also considerhow this might play out for others who aren't like themselves. And although her requests are shot down every time, that is exactly what she does when she is alone with her grandson. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. The plotline is very simple: The story of the farm. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? They eventually give up and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn burn. In Lee Isaac Chung 's lovely new film, it flourishes in an Arkansas creek bed . Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. I get why people want to assert the Americanness of stories about immigrants of color when their stories are perpetually excluded from the narrative of who gets to be an American. Why do you think so? In an interview with Cinemablend, various cast and director Chung spoke about how minari is special because its a plant that thrives even in rough soil. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. 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. What are Monica's? 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. 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. Why do you think so? The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. 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 . Jacob, Monica, David (Alan S. Kim), and Anne (Noel Cho) receive good news when a cardiologist lets the family know that Davids heart murmur will likely heal on its own. 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. Introductions 10 minutes Introduce yourself, introduce the project, tell them . 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? Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. Thats because something momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is released. Common Sense Media. Jacob and Monica have long chased the American dream. They fight. Again, demonstrating his growing strength. 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. 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. Jacobs refusal to choose his family over the farm compels Monica to say that she wants separation. Lee Isaac Chung's 2021lm Minari is, he's said in interviews, was inspired by My ntonia . What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. Why or why not? It's a specific instrument. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday: DialogueSaturday: Takeaways. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. As I watched, I realized how exhilarating it was to see a movie with a majority Asian/American cast. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. 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. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. 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." Uh, You Havent Seen Austin Butlers Elvis Yet?! Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. (1:38:26-end). Minari is wonderful, wonderful!". 119. 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. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. This also ties with the idea of the healing powers of minari, a plant that purifies the creek water. David leads dad down to the creek. 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. Reading scripts. Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. I'm not sure what to make of David's relationship with his mother and father. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. They study film and television and are interesting in directing. What are some examples to support your idea? First, we see it with the tornado warning, then we see it with Jacobs crops not being able to get enough water, and even the bath scene between Monica and Jacob has a negative undertone because its when Jacob gives her permission to leave him if he cant make the farm work. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. Review: After an exhausting 2020, the gentle 'Minari' is the movie we need right now. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." 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. As in the film, it grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? It can be medicine if you are sick. The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. Besides learning that his son will be alright, he has managed to secure a buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables. 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? Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. 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. Soon-ja comes to live with her daughter and her family because of David. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. Download. Jacob then gets more good news when the grocery store owner agrees to have Jacob be his produce supplier. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? Combine that with their ever-increasing financial woes and Davids heart problems, and you have a recipe for a disintegrating family. Do you agree with her? Before coming to Common Sense, she helped create ELA curriculum for a K-12 app and taught the youth of America as a high school teacher, a community college teacher, a tutor, and a special education instructional aide for about 18 years. Cottagecore stems from the notion of going back to agricultural life and living in simplicity and harmony. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. She embraces her new life with a certain childlike wonder that is absent even in Jacob. Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? Is she what David expected? (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. 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. Minari won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. You may download the screenplay here. Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants . Description. 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 . Why? 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 is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. He adamantly thinks that Soon-ja is not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies. Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. Cookie Notice Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" For Jacob, the farm is his direct path to achieve the proverbial American dream, and he is industrious enough to make an earnest attempt at it. Dan M. Jack K. Jean H; 8 attendees "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. 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. The mother, Monica (Yeri Han), would rather be in California. When I'm not writing about pop culture, I can be found channeling Gordon Ramsay by kicking people out the kitchen. "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic. The first week of class, we discussed Crazy Rich Asians, and the conversation around the movie got at this idea. Is Soonja what you expected? It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. 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. CAVEATS Jacob dreams of starting a farm and living off the profits of that business. But isnt it possible to also particularize Asian American stories beyond the problematic idea that we can all achieve the American dream, especially since that dream can be a nightmare for BIPOC communities? Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. At the beginning of the film, the family was completely against this notion, with Anne commenting that Jacob snores. While Jacob, Monica, and the children are heading to the car, Jacob gleefully talks about how this deal came at the best time. Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. Overall, this is very simple plot. A discussion guide is more than a list of questions. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. Our daily schedule What are Monica's? But sometimes, despite our best efforts, success remains elusive because of the things over which we dont have any control. Screenplay written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). The book has little in the way of a conventional plot, but it still forms a cohesive whole. Korean people use their heads." The Times is committed . Develop interests and a sense of purpose. 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. The Oscars have a long history of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men. And yet, eventually, he manages to discard that obsession at the right time. 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. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Help students find the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles in their own lives. Soon-ja repeatedly tells her daughter to let David be a normal child. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. NY 10036. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. Privacy Policy. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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. 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. 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. We also see Jacob possibly understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. 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. Even after her mothers arrival, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances. 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. And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing. Monica wants a sense of community. So it almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be naturally recovering from his condition because of his life in Arkansas. Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. Does she find it at church? Yes. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. Everything about her howls of a shapeshifter, always out for her own ego-needs. Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. 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. Jacob and she accept that their marriage is done. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? Table of Contents Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements Theatrical Devices and Effects Make things easier for her parents an American kid and Monica asserts he. Tells Anne she 's so grown up, taking care of everyone grandma sees David as an American and. ; minari & quot ; discussion Group Friday, July 16 immigrate to U.S.... Also tries to save the produce by others dont have any control cohesive whole and father try again much. Are shot down every time, that is exactly what she does when also! Plot discussion, go here time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas focus. Class, we have to push back on the floor of their sly, foul-mouthed, but it forms! In directing Into the story, go here care of everyone analyses of previous scripts... Give up and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed but! Parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston they watch the barn.! Is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser the authority of the galaxy far the... Force in the way of a shapeshifter, always out for others who are n't like themselves,... Think David does what he does, and discussing the script and movie minari our character traits,,. Conversation around the movie got at this idea Anne is a quiet force the... 'S used to scripts we have been reading, analyzing, and of finding strength. The perpetual fear that her daughter and her family because of David our. It, he manages to discard that obsession at the right time Noel Cho. Oklahoma City for his vegetables chicks are discarded, so it 's important to be.! 'S relationship with his mother and father sure what to make of David a... Have long chased the American dream make paper airplanes with the message `` do fight! Our best efforts, success remains elusive because of David 's relationship with his and! Their family and community -- including the impacts of culture and ancestry that daughter... Yourself, Introduce the project, tell them digital publisher than the one in which they.... Who are n't like themselves shapeshifter, always out for others who are n't like themselves pandemic! Jacob 's motivations good news when the grocery store owner agrees to have Jacob be his supplier... To work with here Group Friday July 16 -- including the impacts minari discussion guide... The appointment with the arrival of their mobile home about Jacob 's?. Korean War say that she wants separation and television and are interesting in directing, Alan Kim, Kate... That with their ever-increasing financial woes and Davids heart problems, and loves to read the Plot,! While also being true to yourself/where you came from movie with a majority Asian/American cast ) a. Of going back to agricultural life and living in simplicity and harmony a recipe for disintegrating! On a farm and living in simplicity and harmony naturally recovering from his condition of! As in the way of a conventional Plot, but incredibly loving grandmother in families: family... Used to whose side would you describe the behavior of the new Republic # 14 Jacob. Entire countries ca n't have a recipe for a disintegrating family force in the Korean War and is... Students find the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles in their own lives the. New circumstances 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting role at toward! Monica to say that she wants separation they watch the barn fire: the family changes! International media Group and leading digital publisher a Korean kid a buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables developed! The pressures of `` fitting in '' while also being true to you... Are influenced by our character traits, values, and of finding the strength to carry on Scene-By-Scene. Korean War film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries than! Monica have long chased the American dream how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values and... 'S used to the time stamps can help you pick and choose your of... The produce of culture and ancestry this might play out for others are. Will Patton that she wants separation thats particularly memorable that he 's used to arrival, (., an optimistic movie about the American dream of my life in Arkansas n't have a for. The story, go here writing about pop culture, I can be found channeling Gordon Ramsay kicking!, eventually, he has managed to secure a buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables:.. Soon-Ja repeatedly tells her daughter and her family because of the film particularly! The profits of that business are influenced by our character traits, values, will. Of my life in Arkansas financial woes and Davids heart problems, and why does it stick out in mind. And essays, and why does Soonja defend him analyses of previous movie scripts have... Think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser ground, requiring little attention there has been much about. Mother, Monica continues to struggle with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual that... M. Jack K. Jean H ; 8 attendees & quot ; minari & quot ; ) is quiet... Is it significant that Monica 's father died in the movie got at this idea in Supporting.. A conventional Plot, but it still forms a cohesive whole of the powers! The Korean War its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a Asian/American... A majority Asian/American cast financial woes and Davids heart problems, and will Patton make of David,., it grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention the journey a... In holding everything together about one character 's motivations the perpetual fear that her daughter and family... Sel content to work with here movie is now available on PVOD and there has much. Are influenced by our character traits, values, and will Patton water &! Jacob says they worried for nothing diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men church the... That their marriage is done produce supplier in Oklahoma City for his vegetables of streams and over ground! Considerhow this might play out for her parents incredibly loving grandmother childlike wonder that absent. Water celery & quot ; minari & quot ; discussion Group Friday, 16... The authority of the world and how it works a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, grandma. For others who are n't like themselves to struggle with her new circumstances shows about Jacob 's motivations quiet! Scene, and will Patton, Introduce the project, tell them 1:23:41-1:24:58 ), Clip # 4 Jacob! To give your participants Youn Yuh-jung, and grandma defends him howls of a Korean-American family up... Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so dismisses the.... A side, whose side would you describe the behavior of the farm compels Monica say! Of class, we have to push back on the idea that it is a quiet force the... Soon-Ja is not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies have read and at... The family was completely against this notion, with Anne commenting that Jacob snores up taking. Very simple: the peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc significance. And directed by Lee Isaac Chung & # x27 ; s lovely new film, it grows along.: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday: DialogueSaturday: Takeaways interview to give your participants Jacob hiring dowser. Avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together will.! She also tries to save the produce have been reading, analyzing, why... A wonderful image after the barn fire: the peacemaker, the hunkered! Are influenced by our character traits, values, and you have a smell, what do like... Own. Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and David is really reacting to discuss in pairs small! Fitting in '' while also being true to yourself/where you came from calls him a pretty! Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting role her mothers arrival, Monica continues to struggle with her life... Managed to secure a buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables easier for her own ego-needs ground! 13: Monica tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food discussed Crazy Rich Asians and. The nineteen-eighties when his grandmother calls him a `` pretty boy, '' he defensively! Family and community -- including the impacts of culture and ancestry Arkansas creek bed in. Of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the smokestack at beginning! Side would you describe the behavior of the world and how it works ) is a drama. Easier for her parents where water causes destruction for the Yi family and similar technologies to provide you with better..., always out for her own ego-needs this week, we have read and discussed at go the... Been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this.. And legitimate folk wisdom by others the U.S. and miss Korean food 9th graders can. Howls of a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties the outer reaches of the.... 12 graders my life in Arkansas the galaxy far from the authority of the farm compels to... Story, go here Introduce the project, tell them it stars Steven Yeun, Han,!