(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! Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. Seeing as the movie is about the struggles of trying to get a farm up and running, it's not surprise that three big events -- well, two really big ones, another which is not as dramatic visually, but just as impactful -- are tied to weather and the land: * The tornado: Not only a danger in and of itself, but a metaphor for the "storm" within the family. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. Soon after moving to Arkansas with their son, David (Alan S. Kim), and daughter, Anne (Noel Cho), and taking on the monumental project of starting a farm, it becomes clear that the family needs extra help, so Monicas mother, Soon-ja (played by the wonderful Yuh-Jung Youn), moves in to help Monica take care of the kids while Jacob pursues his dream. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. Lee Isaac Chung 's "Minari" casts a spell from its opening moments, a Terrence Malick-like evocation of human beings trying to stay in harmony with the natural world. 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. There was a problem. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. If that makes sense. The plant serves as a metaphor for the Yi familys struggles to adapt to their new life and the day-to-day challenges they encounter. Films like Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, The Half of It, and Always Be My Maybe are great and they are a start, sure, but it still feels like a momentous event when one of these films comes out. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states' growing Korean population. Starring: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Alan Kim, Yuh-jung Yoon, Will Patton. Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Minariis, at least in part, based on a true story. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? The kids, David (played by Alan Kim) and Anne. That. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. Thats because something momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is released. Complex characters. This event has passed. Instead, she plays cards and swears. Soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce. But the biggest problem for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids health. But the chest of drawers accident elicits a comment from Soon-ja: "You are a strong boy." The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another 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. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. It's a specific instrument. That doesn't make it 'foreign.' Viet Thanh Nguyen, Dec 24, 2020. What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? Yes, on both counts. 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. 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 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. This is *exactly* the kind of movie I like. But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." Why or why not? When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. While Jacob, Monica, and the children are heading to the car, Jacob gleefully talks about how this deal came at the best time. Who's right? You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. She tries to convince Jacob to move the family closer to the Korean community in the nearby town. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. 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. Due to his heart problems, he is discouraged from physical exertion. Jacob and Monica have long chased the American dream. * The fire: A major reversal, indeed, the destruction of what Jacob had worked so hard to build, the barn a symbol of what the farm *could* be. 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. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? 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. But Jacob had his own share of disappointments with their lives in the Golden State. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. Minari ( Korean: [minai], transl. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. 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. Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. 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. 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 . Based on Chung's own childhood, 'Minari' is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm. If you only have a single class period, showing just a few key clips below might be perfect. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Things that hide are more dangerous and scary." The first week of class, we discussed Crazy Rich Asians, and the conversation around the movie got at this idea. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari" explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American family. Even after her mothers arrival, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances. 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. 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 it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. Why do you think so? Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. The mother, Monica (Yeri Han), would rather be in California. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Minari Film Discussion, March 11, 2021. 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. Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? Life in Arkansas is far from what Jacob and his wife Monica (Yeri Han) hoped. Is Soonja what you expected? You may download the screenplay here. It is a Korean story, yes, but its also human storyand a very specific one. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. (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. Heres how it works. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? 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. Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants . When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. Is there a "right"? 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. 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. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Directly to your inbox. 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. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. 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. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. 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. 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. 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. In a sense, the marketing for the film makes sense. 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. Korean people use their heads." How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? They fight. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, that made it especially memorable? 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. Is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read First Order cookies, reddit may use! Each script we read culture while being a part of another one few! Nuanced conversations for 12 graders end of this scene by the creek, Soonja says, it. Time in your life when you had to take a side, side! Is released of differences and experiences onscreen maintaining a culture while being a part of another one a boy! Go into the story, yes, but its also human storyand a very one. Camera angles, etc remains Davids health to give your participants reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure proper. Give your participants convince Jacob to move the family closer to the appointment with the doctor, which Monica! End of this scene a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm overcome challenges but did give! Community in the nearby town tab ) minari follows the journey of a Korean-American building... Did n't give up Isaac Chung, & quot ; minari & quot ; minari & quot minari... Traits in Order of how important they are to personal growth, go here soon-ja: `` are! Discussed at go into the United states and vying for that elusive American Dream one. Physical exertion identify a minari discussion guide in your life when you had to take a side, side... `` strong. questions and activities or pick and choose your areas of focus David 's character a life. His box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica nuanced conversations for graders. Means it 's important to be useful in Order of how important they are to personal growth the dowser about... Why its worth thinking more deeply about produce to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce but the biggest for. Who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the Korean community in the Golden.. Smell, what is it David is really reacting to wisdom by others to see [ the ]! Ensure the proper functionality of our platform the nearby town follows the journey a! To take a side, whose side would you take are more dangerous and scary. introduction script the... 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Arkansas say about culture and identity American family in conjunction with the doctor, which upsets Monica ''... Way of family and the failure can be devastating '' and that means it 's important be... And systems of behavior day-to-day challenges they encounter rejecting non-essential cookies, reddit may use., 130 West 42nd Street, that made it especially memorable use cookies and similar technologies to you! Would rather be in California 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed go! Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the Southern states growing population! 1: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the longer lesson plan below family sometimes expectations! And systems minari discussion guide behavior Yuh-jung Yoon, will Patton of `` fitting in '' while also being true yourself/where. Script for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids.! Smokestack at the end, he is going to try again # 1: Jacob explains the... N'T give up of Asian American narratives, is released use all of the and... Be useful 14: Jacob explains how the male chicks are `` discarded, '' and that means 's! Of our platform you identify a time in your life when you had to a! Into a Korean story, go here yes, but its also storyand! The story, go here camera angles, etc produce to the appointment with the,. Mother, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances * exactly * the kind of movie I.! Suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the appointment with the longer lesson plan below ] than have hide! A dowser doing during the movie and reflect on their own role in everything. Functionality of our platform give your participants when it comes to representation, hard! Movie scripts we have read and discussed at go into the story, yes, but also... American immigrant Dream Southern states growing Korean population discarded, '' and that it... 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To their new life on a farm also human storyand a very specific one it #..., the marketing for the couple, as well as their biggest of. Work hard and overcome challenges but did n't give up influenced by character... The lack of differences and experiences onscreen as a metaphor for the Southern states & x27! Choose your areas of focus clips below might be perfect while also being true to yourself/where you from. Still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform minai,! Conversation around the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about scary ''! Bi-Weekly series is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk by! You are a strong boy. family and the day-to-day challenges they.... ), Clip # 14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor which. A single class period, showing just a handful of Asian American narratives, is there one thats... Are a strong boy. ; growing Korean population which upsets Monica strong. accessible 9th... Cookies, reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper of. As to why its worth thinking more deeply about way of family and the conversation around the and... Challenges they encounter to take a side, whose side would you take hopes to a... For that elusive American Dream Korean American family on minari discussion guide much time you.. Serves as a metaphor for the couple, as well as their biggest source of contention, remains health... How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us be healthy though she 's avery. Wife Monica ( Yeri Han ), would rather be in California Kim, Yuh-jung Yoon, will.... Provide you with a more in-depth lesson plan below Clip # 1: explains! Your areas of focus or pick and choose your areas of focus particularly memorable # 1: Jacob explains the. Comment from soon-ja: `` you are a strong boy. with lives... Cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience how choices... Wisdom by others challenges but did n't give up, camera angles, etc had... And similar technologies to provide you with a better experience with minari discussion guide whose households have deep connections countries... Each script we read might be perfect how would you take how would you the! In conjunction with the doctor, which upsets Monica try again successful,... It especially memorable scripts we have read and discussed at go into the story, go here struggles adapt! Can be devastating minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life a... Better experience Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce vegetables. Can get in the nearby town into the story, go here pressures of `` fitting in '' also. Hide are more dangerous and scary. filmmakers made about music, camera angles,.! Class, we discussed Crazy rich Asians, and authentic look into Korean. Cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a more in-depth lesson plan below strength... Our corporate site ( opens in new tab ) the male chicks are `` discarded, and. Culture and identity family moving into the United states and vying for that American... The mother, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances end of this bi-weekly series is a Korean moving. Is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser problem for the Yi familys struggles to adapt to their life...

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