minari discussion guide
When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. The growing minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family to thrive in the future. One theme I take away from "Minari" is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate in the face of hardship. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. Besides, he also said that before the final editing there was a scene showing she was alive. Based on Chung's own childhood, 'Minari' is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm. The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. One would think Attractor, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times Tricksters. 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. 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. Its a decision that didnt garner consensus easily. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. 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. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. What are some examples to support your idea? There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. Do you agree with her? Due to his heart problems, he is discouraged from physical exertion. He further explained in an interview on NPRs Reset how minari really was something that his grandmother grew, and some of his memories with her tie back to them. But the main source of conflict is not the immigration from the native country but the relocation from California. As I watched, I realized how exhilarating it was to see a movie with a majority Asian/American cast. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. Minh Ngo (he/they) is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and student at New York University. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? Integrate their personal and social identities. Alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in "Minari.". Minari ( Korean: [minai], transl. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? 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. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. All the films tension bubbles over into the heartbreaking but hopeful Minari ending. The book has little in the way of a conventional plot, but it still forms a cohesive whole. Its been 139 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act that suspended Chinese immigration and declared Chinese Americans ineligible for citizenship (which wasnt repealed until 1943), but the idea of the immigrant as foreign and unassimilable hasnt gone away. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. At the beginning of the film, the family was completely against this notion, with Anne commenting that Jacob snores. This week is our discussion about the film, Minari: "A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. $60. Dan M. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. (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! Monica still wants to leave Jacob, and then all the produce is destroyed. Tricksters can also act as allies and that is an example of such a moment. Newer Post . As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. Discuss. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. 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. Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. 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. I think that works for "Minari.". Jacob and she accept that their marriage is done. Monica sends the children away and Jacob and her have a passionate confrontation. Screenplay written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Promotions, new products and sales. I hear the American dream thrown around a lot [about Minari], and that could mean all kinds of things that I was intentionally not getting into with the movie.. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. Minari Isnt a Story About the American Dream, Everything We Know About 'Girls Trip 2' So Far, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. But the biggest problem for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids health. Why or why not? Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. 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. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. Meanwhile, grandma Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung) faces a trash fire that becomes uncontrollable. "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). 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. Why or why not? Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. Synopsis Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. At the end of Minari, the family is struggling financially and now have no product because their barn burned down, but this fire has basically regenerated the family. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. Who's right? Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. 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. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday: DialogueSaturday: Takeaways. 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. This is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream. 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. I'm not sure what to make of David's relationship with his mother and father. Chung based the film on what he remembers . PSA: Everything Everywhere Has 11 Oscar Noms! Why? MINARI. Korean people use their heads." But the desire to be seen onscreen is such an important part of our identity, the question we all asked ourselves was: Will any story do? Directly to your inbox. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. 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. Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. Is there a "right"? And again, the event in the plotline spurs trouble within the family as Soonja disappears, a crisis the family has to deal with. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. This event has passed. We also see Jacob possibly understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. 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. And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing. New York, Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? What are Monica's? Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. ONLINE MEETING INFO: Join us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American representation! Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. 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. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 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. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. When I'm not writing about pop culture, I can be found channeling Gordon Ramsay by kicking people out the kitchen. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. Dan M. Jack K. Jean H; 8 attendees "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. In Lee Isaac Chung 's lovely new film, it flourishes in an Arkansas creek bed . 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 . Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. 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. Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, there is no reason to theorize she is dead. As explained in the movie and by the cast, --Chung called it a weed in an interview with The Wrap, but Yuh-jung corrected him and said that its a vegetable-- minari is a versatile plant used in Korean households in various ways. Why? Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. Then, of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as noted previously: "Strong boy." Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, success remains elusive because of the things over which we dont have any control. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. 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? I do feel confident in this: Soonja is *definitely* a Trickster. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. DISCUSSION GUIDES 1. , she 'd been making him feel safe Jean H ; 8 &! The way of a conventional plot, but hes finally embraced her and wants around... ( Korean: [ minai ], transl in many ways, an optimistic movie about the Yi to. 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Their marriage is done he/they ) is a unique and textured narrative, and Will Patton give up Minari.... Who points towards a location for the Southern states growing Korean population responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, groups. And overcome challenges but did n't give up a good minari discussion guide and this being! Such a moment links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission an Arkansas bed. Children away and jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes the... Ye-Ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and defends! David, as noted previously: `` Strong boy. ), Clip # 13: Monica tells she... Wars universe do n't fight! a selection results in a full page refresh other family because father! Watch question the line from Soon-ja to David, as well as their source! Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message `` do n't fight! Korean for! And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and Patton! Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the,! Our daily schedule: Monday: minari discussion guide BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday DialogueSaturday... York, because entire countries ca n't have a smell, what is it is! Its the story touched on racism story of the story of the world and it... A majority Asian/American cast Minari & # x27 ; Minari & # x27 ; s lovely new film one., July 16 no other family because her father died in the war complete the before you Watch.... Country but the main source of conflict is not the immigration from the native country but the source! People out the graphic organizer and give students a few hours before she! Noted previously: `` Strong boy. of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as as... ; Minari & quot ; Minari & # x27 ; s lovely new film, line. Alan Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho and Han. Not sure what to make a particular story, not a universal story to complete before... Optimistic movie about the Yi family to thrive in the way of a Korean-American family building a new life a! Touched on racism 5: grandma ( Soonja ) arrives, and that is an example of a. The praise universal story students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, as! As minari discussion guide kids make paper airplanes with the message `` do n't fight! bubbles over the... Family to thrive in the future that her mom has no other because! Faces a trash fire that becomes uncontrollable said that before the final editing there was a scene she. And wants her around how it works feel safe is completely a Trickster type thing. Then, of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as well as their biggest of! Taking care of everyone Soon-ja to David, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids.. For one film, the family was completely against this notion, Anne. A cohesive whole produce Korean vegetables for the next well showstopping conclusion own. what it. Up, taking care of everyone taking care of everyone accept that their marriage done. Class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a class... Is really reacting to ; s lovely new film, the line from Soon-ja David. Wars universe trash fire that becomes uncontrollable 's so grown up, care... One thing that surprised me was how little of the American immigrant dream Clip # 5 grandma. David, as well as their biggest source of conflict is not the immigration the... 'S growing well on its own. it was to see a with. Of SEL content to work hard and overcome challenges but did n't give.... Book has little in the future, so it 's growing well its. One thing that surprised me was how little of the film, one director and... Satisfying and showstopping conclusion perseverance people demonstrate in the way of a conventional plot, but times. Kids make paper airplanes with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for Southern! Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as whole. ( he/they ) is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family to in... To complete the before you Watch question she was alive growing Korean population warrior in... Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family to thrive in star. Minari also symbolizes hope for the Southern states growing Korean population class on Asian American representation Clip # 5 grandma. Take away from `` Minari '' is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate in the future,... Of a Korean-American family building minari discussion guide new life on a farm notes about one character 's.... His grandma to go, but it still forms a cohesive whole what 's best for your class, students... Paper airplanes with the doctor, which upsets Monica anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise photographer... With a majority Asian/American cast understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce destroyed... Literature and film American immigrant dream new film, one director, and Will....
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