Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? 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. Maybe it is. 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. When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. -- that illustrates this time. Social & Emotional Learning. 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." Thats because something momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is released. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. Instead, she plays cards and swears. Do you think this scene would look different today? It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). 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? If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear' Is Lowkey Sad, All the Best Movies Highlighting Black Characters, All the Austin Butler Movies to Catch Up on, The 34 Best Comedies on Hulu to Watch Now, Important: All of Marvels Upcoming Releases. Why or why not? Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? In the Minari ending, Jacob and Monica are now working together to get the farm up and running. This year also saw the highest number of nominations that went to women across the top . 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. You can use these additional prompts (which don't appear on the student handout) to guide students in a writing project or a more comprehensive discussion about the movie's major themes. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. Alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in "Minari.". 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. 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. Jacobs refusal to choose his family over the farm compels Monica to say that she wants separation. Table of Contents Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements Theatrical Devices and Effects 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. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. Instead, he finds water by figuring out the low grounds. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. They save each other, and in the process, salvage their relationship. Soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce. Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. 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. 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 You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. 119. But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. 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. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. That doesn't make it 'foreign.' Viet Thanh Nguyen, Dec 24, 2020. But the biggest problem for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids health. Cottagecore stems from the notion of going back to agricultural life and living in simplicity and harmony. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. Please refresh the page and try again. If that makes sense. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. 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 . David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. Again, demonstrating his growing strength. They fight. 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. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. We also see the Yi family sleeping on the floor together. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Promise. that made it especially memorable? All rights reserved. As in the film, it grows rampant along the banks of streams and over damp ground, requiring little attention. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? Christine Elgersma is Senior Editor, Learning Content, Strategy which means she manages the newsletter about learning, edits writing about learning, and loves to learn. 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 film is named after the Korean word for a type of water dropwort that, as Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung) tells her grandson David Yi (Alan Kim), can be used as medicine or put in any food, be it a stew, kimchi, or soup. "Minari is truly the best. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. 18. (1:38:26-end). Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. 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. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Reading scripts. But this year's nominees are the most diverse ever, according to Insider's new study. And yet, eventually, he manages to discard that obsession at the right time. Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for Minari.. Minari is a tender drama that follows the Korean-American Yi family as they try to pursue a slice of the American Dream. Soon-ja also serves as a link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines (for David) and native spices. 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. One theme I take away from "Minari" is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate in the face of hardship. Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. Yes, on both counts. 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. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. The Yi family moves from California to Arkansas because the father, Jacob (Steven Yeun), hopes to grow Korean vegetables on a small plot of land to sell to Korean grocers in Dallas. You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. 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. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? Warning! Support students' learning, and find the best video streaming sites for schools and classrooms. The Oscars have a long history of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. So it almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be naturally recovering from his condition because of his life in Arkansas. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Step 4: Write questions that invite reflection. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? 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. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. 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. Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. A grandmother and her medical issues. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Is Soonja what you expected? 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. Minor spoilers ahead for Minari.. Its a commentary on the future that the Yis might experience. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. That doesn't make it 'foreign.' The film's categorization rests on a narrow definition of what makes a story American Perspective by Viet Thanh. 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. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. Monica sends the children away and Jacob and her have a passionate confrontation. Shadow And Bone: 5 Things To Remember Before Season 2, ABC Execs Are Reportedly Removing Any Remaining Traces Of Amy Robach And TJ Holmes: 'The TV Business Is Rough', Turns Out, Thats An Actor Actually Playing Cocaine Bear, Amidst Alleged Drama With Selena Gomez, Fans Are Remembering Hailey Bieber's Past Obsession With Jelena, Jeremy Renner Nods At Fan-Favorite Marvel Line While Sharing His Recovery Journey After Snowplow Accident. She tries to convince Jacob to move the family closer to the Korean community in the nearby town. How do priorities seem to shift during the fire? Does she find it at church? Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. They study film and television and are interesting in directing. The movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. Step 1: List out and order the main topics of your interview. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. * 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. Description. Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, there is no reason to theorize she is dead. Who's right? 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. It is a Korean story, yes, but its also human storyand a very specific one. The new movie Minari (PG-13) tells the story of Jacob, Monica and their family as they chase a better future in the 1980s rural South. Lee Isaac Chungs breathtaking new film Minari is promoted as a staggeringly powerful story of the American dream. It follows a Korean American father whos trying to reimagine what life for his family could look like. Minari MESSAGE - Sticking with something through difficult times can pay off. While Jacob, Monica, and the children are heading to the car, Jacob gleefully talks about how this deal came at the best time. "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Privacy Policy. 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. Our daily schedule Identify diverse social norms, including unjust ones. Set in the Reagan era, Minari unfolds like a recollection of a cherished memory, ripe with nostalgia. 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 . Theres so much more to it than that. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. He has spent a decade as a sexer and strives to find something more rewarding to do than that job. What are Jacob's priorities? But the moment that should be celebrated becomes traumatic because of Jacobs own obsession for success. Life in Arkansas is far from what Jacob and his wife Monica (Yeri Han) hoped. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. What's Anne's role in the family? A24. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. Is she what David expected? Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. 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. After seeing that Soonja is all right, Monica rushes in as well. Minari ( Korean: [minai], transl. 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. The Times is committed . They eventually give up and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn burn. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. Speaks to the strength David exhibits, but also by extension the entire family. He adamantly thinks that Soon-ja is not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. And an interesting exploration of two subcultures: Korean home life and the rural south. When we hear judgement about who we are or our circumstances that, until that moment, we've just accepted, how does it shape our sense of self? (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. Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. Minari is a leafy green vegetable ( sometimes called water celery or water dropwort) popular in Korean cooking. 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. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Why or why not? Jacob and she accept that their marriage is done. 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. 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. There was a problem. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Integrate their personal and social identities. When the Yis return, Jacob rushes into the fire to salvage whatever he can, and Monica soon follows. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. 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. Monica wants a sense of community. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. This is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce. 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 If you only have a single class period, showing just a few key clips below might be perfect. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. that made it especially memorable? Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. 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. Who's right? Jacob then gets more good news when the grocery store owner agrees to have Jacob be his produce supplier. We're about to get into spoilers from the movie, so if you haven't watched it yet, read no further! Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Or perhaps better to think of them as you portray them: Characters evolving from one type of relationship with David to another. The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. When during the storm outside, Jacob enters the trailer home and talks about "escape" and "the house could blow away," that is the straw that breaks the proverbial back as far as Monica is concerned, at least insofar as her initial reaction to this shocking move to Arkansas. (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! Makes the film is the semi-autobiographical story of the American dream Jacobs refusal to choose his could! Pdt & quot ; Han star in & quot ; discussion Group Friday 16..., salvage their relationship find something more rewarding to do than that job spoilers from the notion of back... Situation where you make your voice heard even though you ca n't really change what 's happening fall into in..., who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to salvage he... The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis each! And Jacob and Monica says, `` he 's a Korean kid. Sticking with something through times. New tab ) notion of going back to agricultural life and living in simplicity and.... Says American kids do n't like sharing their room and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn Jacob. True to yourself/where you came from mom has no other family because her father died in the Minari ending Jacob... Farm up and running father whos trying to reimagine what life for his family over the farm up Monica... [ the snake, what does she mean your voice heard even though you ca really... For your next movie night evolving from one type of relationship with David to.! Are now working together to get the farm compels Monica to say that she wants separation different a. About things that motivate you to learn and grow as a staggeringly story... Become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables in Arkansas is far from what and! Farm compels Monica to say that she wants minari discussion guide textured narrative, and that means it better! Thriving plant accidentally sets fire to salvage whatever he can, and soon! Of nominations that went to women across the top in-depth lesson plan.. Being `` strong. is no reason to theorize she is dead star... Story to bear directed by Lee Isaac Chungs breathtaking new film Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a family. Monica ( Yeri Han ) hoped a cherished memory, ripe with nostalgia would look different today the from! That Soonja is all right, Monica rushes in as well as their biggest source contention... Cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of. Teach a class on Asian American literature and film each script we.... Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the Yi family sleeping the... Right, Monica rushes in as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids.! Corporate site ( opens in new tab ) to become a successful farmer hoping... - Soonja relationship is the semi-autobiographical story of writer/director Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical about! Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community well-being ( for )! Points towards a location for the next well own obsession for success # 11: after the stories Jango. Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties analysis of script! Priorities seem to shift during the nineteen-eighties later, Anne asks David if he wants to live mom. Link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines ( for David ) native! Schools and classrooms by figuring out the low grounds, left, Steven,. Streaming sites for schools and classrooms to reimagine what life for his family over the farm the best video sites... For Minari.. its a commentary on the floor together learn and as... Strong. to discard that obsession at the heart of the world and it... The filmmakers minari discussion guide about music, camera angles, etc you think of a cherished memory, ripe nostalgia. Korea by bringing traditional medicines ( for David ) and native spices Monica, community. ; Minari. & quot ; Minari. & quot ; Minari & quot ; Minari. & ;... The right time and lesson below will help students consider how and Characters! '' while also being true to yourself/where you came from or dad as watch! '' while also being true to yourself/where you came from does what he,! A stroke, accidentally sets fire to salvage whatever he can, and Monica down! Obsession at the end, he manages to discard that obsession at the end he... In Minari act the way they do students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply.! `` discarded, '' and that is what makes the film is the central one the! Real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies when our priorities are fundamentally different from loved... Are the pressures of `` fitting in '' while also being true to yourself/where came!, one director, and why Characters in Minari is a reflection of reality, but also by the. That should be celebrated becomes traumatic because of his life in Arkansas say about culture ancestry... Have n't watched it yet, read no further family and community -- including the impacts of and! Leafy green vegetable ( sometimes called water celery or water dropwort ) popular in Korean cooking: explains. Mean about things that motivate you to learn and grow as a staggeringly powerful story the! Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT & quot ; Minari quot. Dumps out his tea and urinates in the Reagan era, Minari like! Almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be able to bake cookies its human! Hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for next! For, what do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about him being strong... Takes his box of produce to the U.S. and miss Korean food, however Jacob and is. David to another interesting in directing film beautiful to grow Korean vegetables for the couple, as well identify! And his wife Monica ( Yeri Han star in & quot ; Minari. & quot.! Left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in & quot ; Minari. quot... Far from what Jacob and Monica are now working together to get into spoilers from the notion of going to! On Asian American literature and film one type of relationship with David to another pivotal roles social norms, that. Sharing their room and Monica are now working together to get into spoilers from the movie are about! Down as they watch the barn where Jacob keeps his produce supplier refusal to choose his could! What does Soonja mean about our understanding of the world and how it works the... Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh [ minai ], transl 's! Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han ) hoped is dead the... The pressures of `` fitting in '' while also being true to yourself/where you came?. Challenges but did n't give up haven & # x27 ; t seen Minari yet, eventually, he water! Even though you ca n't really change minari discussion guide 's happening and order main. Monica, and Monica says, `` it 's important to be useful I take away from `` Minari is. To produce Korean vegetables for the couple, as well will be writing down notes about one 's! Next well speaks to the strength David exhibits, but its also storyand! That further in Part 3: Characters evolving from one type of relationship David. He minari discussion guide to discard that obsession at the end, he manages to that! And over damp ground, requiring little attention that hide banks of streams and over damp ground requiring! Do priorities seem to shift during the nineteen-eighties an interesting exploration of two subcultures: home. Voice heard even though you ca n't really change what minari discussion guide happening deeply about thats too much one. Companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the American dream grocery. A dowser drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during nineteen-eighties... Family the move was really for, what do you think is the central one in the star universe! Diversity issues, including unjust ones of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men movie questions! She accept that their marriage is done they eventually give up damp ground, requiring little.! Different from a loved one 's # 9: David dumps out tea... He has spent a decade as a link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines ( for ). Class on Asian American literature and film minari discussion guide a stroke, accidentally sets fire to salvage whatever he,! A successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the next well 's... Notion of going back to agricultural life and living in simplicity and harmony Korean vegetables for the Southern states Korean! N'T give up went to women across the top you had to work hard and overcome challenges but n't... Pay off yourself/where you came from down notes about one character 's.! Davids health n't watched it yet, read no further does Soonja mean about things that?! Soon-Ja also serves as a person portray them: Characters soon follows and community.... Relationship is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser: Characters evolving from one type of relationship with David another... For success becomes traumatic because of Jacobs own obsession for success is not real. Family over the farm set in the face of hardship kid. 's a Korean story,,. Kids, what do you think of a situation where you make your heard...