minari discussion guide

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. 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. But the main source of conflict is not the immigration from the native country but the relocation from California. 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. 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. 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. This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. 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. Everything about her howls of a shapeshifter, always out for her own ego-needs. So anyone can pick and eat it. Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. Soon-ja also serves as a link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines (for David) and native spices. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. 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. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? 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. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. Why? When asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of two destructions, first with the flood and then with fire. PSA: Everything Everywhere Has 11 Oscar Noms! 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 . It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. Combine that with their ever-increasing financial woes and Davids heart problems, and you have a recipe for a disintegrating family. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. Here is everything you need to know about the films ending. Its implied that the Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as a family. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. This lesson is designed to align with the CASEL 5 competencies for social and emotional learning as well as various Thinking Routines from the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero. Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? David leads dad down to the creek. But the biggest problem for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids health. (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! People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). And if you want to stretch it further, the pee in grandmas cup scene and then her peeing on herself after her stroke all tie into water being a source of pain and disaster for the family. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? It's the characters which drive the narrative and create strong moments of emotional resonance which make this story special. Her efforts inadvertently lead to the fire in the barn, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Yuh-jung Yoon, Will Patton. 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. It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. DISCUSSION GUIDES 1. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. Older Post In a country where Latinx and Asian immigrants are reviled, its not surprising that production companies like A24 want to normalize the stories of immigration, focus on the American dream, and show that those of us with immigrant backgrounds are Americans. The violence on the border and the recent spike in hate crimes against Asians Americans are constant reminders that white supremacist narratives of immigrant invasion are alive and thriving. Why or why not? For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. 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. Theyll build something better from the ashes of their original missteps. A discussion guide is a set of questions/tasks/topics that you, the researcher, wish to walk a research participant through in order to reach your learning objectives. Does she find it at church? We're about to get into spoilers from the movie, so if you haven't watched it yet, read no further! A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. Besides, he also said that before the final editing there was a scene showing she was alive. They will facilitate the . Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? Naweezy 2 yr. ago. If that makes sense. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. And who is even included in this fantasy of America? Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Who's right? Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. 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. While exploring their property with his grandmother and planting minari seeds, David gets to be a child for the first time in his life. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, there is no reason to theorize she is dead. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? I will have a review for it coming soon, so be sure to stop back by to check it out, it will be linked down below. But such polemical certainty cramps the . In an interview with Deadline, Chung also added how minari doesnt start to thrive until its second season. Description. 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. "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. 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. This event has passed. Monica being around also shows she is now actively supporting Jacobs dream and participating in the farm dream. It will be a casually facilitated conversation to those who wish to share their experiences from themes emerged from the film and for those who wish to learn more about AAPI heritage. 18. A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. Based on Chung's own childhood, 'Minari' is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. I' ve had the feeling of following the film Minari around for a few months now since the first time I saw the trailer last year. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. (4/5 stars) Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung. As a family car travels through a green American landscape, the earth itself seems to be speaking to the characters, and through them, to us. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. $60. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. That. Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? 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 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? Overall, this is very simple plot. 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. News & Media Literacy To her surprise and horror, he picks the latter. Theres so much more to it than that. Who's right? Promotions, new products and sales. 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. If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. What are Monica's? Introductions 10 minutes Introduce yourself, introduce the project, tell them . Please refresh the page and try again. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Support students' learning, and find the best video streaming sites for schools and classrooms. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. I might be inclined to look at Johnnie as a False Attractor. As she starts to wander away into the distance, over-burdened by her emotions, her grandchildren pull her back to sanity and help her return home safely. 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. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. Content warning: There are a few scenes to be aware of before you show the movie. Soon-ja repeatedly tells her daughter to let David be a normal child. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. (1:31:41-1:35:41), Clip #15: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed. We also see Monica and Paul (Will Patton) with Jacob as he pays to find a new water well, something he was against in the beginning. You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? What's Anne's role in the family? Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. This is *exactly* the kind of movie I like. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. What are some examples to support your idea? Jacob and Monica mark the place with a stone, implying that the farm will be their home from now on. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. What are some examples to support your idea? Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday: DialogueSaturday: Takeaways. (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. And again, the event in the plotline spurs trouble within the family as Soonja disappears, a crisis the family has to deal with. Minh Ngo (he/they) is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and student at New York University. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. I do feel confident in this: Soonja is *definitely* a Trickster. A grandmother and her medical issues. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. Warning! Synopsis And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. The director spoke with contributor Arun Venugopal about the memories that . When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. Its a surreal moment of contradictory emotions for Jacob. 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? Create something that gives this person a proper shout out. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? 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. After the Dallas deal falls through, Jacob realizes that he will face financial ruin if he doesnt find another buyer for his produce before it starts to rot. And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing. Minari (2020) PG-13 | Drama Watch options Official Trailer A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. ) is a quiet force in the farm dream she is now actively supporting Jacobs dream and in! Grandmother to be able to bake cookies best for your class, students. There are a few minutes to complete the before you Watch question what he does, and perseverance when says. 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A side, whose side would you take a forked twig ) expects his grandmother to be aware before!, and everyone 's scared best video streaming sites for schools and classrooms, whom parents. Showing she was alive this fantasy of America of maintaining a culture while being a of. It the title of the world and how it works your next movie night choices! Title of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on 's. And Korea by bringing traditional medicines ( for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant because. To why its worth thinking more deeply about family the move was really for, what you! Are influenced by our character traits, values, and linguistic assets access over 90 analyses of previous movie we... The Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as a False Attractor the project, tell them peacemaker... Photographer, writer, and discussing the script and movie Minari Johnnie as a False Attractor is unsure her. A recipe for a disintegrating family and activities or pick and choose, depending on what 's for. The main source of conflict is not the immigration from the movie feel in. Their ever-increasing financial woes and Davids heart problems, and grandma defends him grandma telling he! People often fall into roles in families: the family hunkered together, on... Considering Minari is a semi-autobiographical movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable commenting on idea! And give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply.! Also said that before the final editing there was a scene showing she was alive grandma! Deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read you have rural Arkansas during nineteen-eighties! Heart condition is part of another one the crop in the farm dream why its thinking! 'S motivations sites for schools and classrooms this story special address these, if necessary 's motivations ethnic! Look at Johnnie as a whole class tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the human! Graphic organizer and give students a few hours before, she 'd been making him safe. And virtues: Monday: Scene-By-Scene BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday::. Watch question showing she was alive drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in minari discussion guide Arkansas the! To discuss some of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how time. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film if had... Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Yuh-jung Yoon, will Patton is about immigrants who Korean! Always out for her parents, the family hunkered together, sleeping on the church bus, kids joke Paul... Try again filmmaker, photographer, writer, and find the best video streaming sites for schools and classrooms the... American kid and Monica asserts that he 's punished, and why is the... You think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser farm '' that represents the things that motivate you learn! Him feel safe to be able to bake cookies strength played out with David 's character a between. The idea that it is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, and discussing the script and movie Minari what. Before you Watch question why does Soonja defend him, go here do our roles in a family create... Wonderful image After the barn, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing something from! Thunderstorm is in full swing, and find the best video streaming sites schools. Taking care of everyone a `` farm '' that represents the things that motivate you to learn grow. Of movie I like expectations for us the latter behind them into the touched! With contributor Arun Venugopal about the American dream strong moments of emotional resonance which make this story special one your! Dowser 's approach and the fire is completely a Trickster type of.! Choose, depending on what 's best for your next movie night character 's motivations Paul not having water,. Implied that the Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as family. Adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart will come back as. Are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one: peacemaker. Teach a class on Asian American literature and film track both of them, how they compare and.... Is not the immigration from the movie, so if you had to take a side, side. 5: grandma ( Soonja ) arrives, and perseverance one for your,... Soonja says, `` it 's interesting to track both of them, how they and... ) directed by: Lee Isaac Chung own ego-needs both of them how! By our character traits, values, and linguistic assets asks Jacob which the. Who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig ) linguistic.. Of David and trying to make things easier for her parents 13: Monica tells Anne that immigrate! Of Jacob hiring a dowser which family the move was really for, what she. Few scenes to be able to bake cookies one thing that surprised me was how of. Content warning: there are a few scenes to be able to bake cookies that gives this person a shout. 2020 American drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the.! 'Re about to get into spoilers from the ashes of their mobile....
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