To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. -- can shift one's priorities? David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Discuss. If we look at the story with David as the Protagonist, there are a lot of Trickster dynamics at play. How does Cather bring the novel full circle, mirroring Jim's observation, "What a little circle man's experience is"? Why or why not? Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. 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. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). 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. David leads dad down to the creek. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. Reading scripts. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. 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. Soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce. "Wonderful, wonderful!" The dual-language Minari Screenplay Book features Korean translations of all texts alongside the original English. Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? While she was in California, she was surrounded by other Korean expatriates, which created a sense of community. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? 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. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari" explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American family. Download. 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. 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. But this year's nominees are the most diverse ever, according to Insider's new study. Jacob dreams of starting a farm and living off the profits of that business. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? Minari - Panel Discussion (2021 Video) Plot Showing all 0 items Jump to: Summaries It looks like we don't have any Plot Summaries for this title yet. Why? 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. Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants . In a sense, the marketing for the film makes sense. NY 10036. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. that made it especially memorable? You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. A boy and *his* medical issues. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. When "Minari," a semiautobiographical film directed by Lee Isaac Chung, won the Golden Globes' best foreign language film in February 2021 because the majority of the movie's dialogue is in. (1:38:26-end). He knows how complex the idea of the American dream is and that for many, its a fiction. 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. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? Jacob hires a dowser to find water. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Speaks to the strength David exhibits, but also by extension the entire family. 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. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. The kids go to church so they can call their mother. 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. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. It also frames the Asian American story as one story: the story of the triumph of being an American. It can be medicine if you are sick. As I watched, I realized how exhilarating it was to see a movie with a majority Asian/American cast. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states' growing Korean population. Theres so much more to it than that. A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here. The problem is, Jacob doesnt have a particularly high opinion of the other Korean immigrants. Do you think this scene would look different today? Is she what David expected? The movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? 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. Newer Post . Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. "Minari, Minari, Wonderful, Wonderful". Minor spoilers ahead for Minari.. Who's right? Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. David aspires to be one of the gang and hanging with Johnnie provides that opportunity, however, Johnnie has a wild streak and that stands in opposition to the steadfastness required of the family to survive on the farm. Common Sense Media. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. 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. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. -- can shift one's priorities? Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. But underlying all of that, its less the immigration but the heart and sentiments, the relationships of the people doing that. Our daily schedule (34:04-35:56), Clip #7: Grandma can't bake, but she shows the kids what she can do by teaching them a card game. Minari is a drama about a Korean family that chases after the American dream by moving to the Ozarks on the prospect of making money by filling a niche. "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. Table of Contents Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements Theatrical Devices and Effects that made it especially memorable? They fight. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. 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 A FOOW (Fish-Out-Of-Water) dynamic. What unies the narrative? Special contents include Lee Isaac Chung's never-before-published alternate ending, a foreword by Steven Yeun, an original essay by Ocean Vuong, a poem by Claude . Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. There was a problem. But Chung's brilliance is in how he adds depth and complexity to those foundational ideas - it's in the spaces in between that we find love, loss, hope,. While exploring their property with his grandmother and planting minari seeds, David gets to be a child for the first time in his life. In the Minari ending, Jacob and Monica are now working together to get the farm up and running. It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." 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. Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? What are some examples to support your idea? Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. It grows anywhere, like weeds. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? Korean people use their heads." 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.. Due to his heart problems, he is discouraged from physical exertion. The creek water provides the family with water when Jacob has used it all up for his crops. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. $60. She tries to convince Jacob to move the family closer to the Korean community in the nearby town. Do you agree with her? Step 5: Test your discussion guide with a colleague. Monica wants a sense of community. Do you think this is a positive or negative thing? This year also saw the highest number of nominations that went to women across the top . Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? A species of water dropwort, minari, also known as Korean watercress, water celery, water parsley, or Java water dropwort, is a vegetable found in temperate and tropical climes across Asia. Why? Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? The family flees Korea seeking a better life in the United States. It often evolves from a yearning to escape the daily grind and a feeling of nostalgia. 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. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. We also see Jacob possibly understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. In Lee Isaac Chung 's lovely new film, it flourishes in an Arkansas creek bed . And if you're looking to check it out, find out how to watch Minari streaming. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. 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. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. 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? 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