minari discussion guide

Dan M. Jack K. Jean H; 8 attendees "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. 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. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. They fight. 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. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. 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. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? 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. Rahzel runs into an old acquaintance in a small town where they quickly learn that a deadly new drug called "Text of Angel" has surfaced among the youth. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. Here's a rundown of all those rich details that made the movie so moving: And by the way, it's possible that a few or a lot of these cultural elements aren't exclusive to the Korean community. Thats because something momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is released. Uh, You Havent Seen Austin Butlers Elvis Yet?! 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. 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. Why? In an interview with Deadline, Chung also added how minari doesnt start to thrive until its second season. Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? Both Jacob and Monica have to work sexing chicks in order to provide for the family while they wait for that dream to come to fruition. The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. Simple plot. Despite one challenge after another which pushes Jacob and Monica's relationship to the brink of dissolution, they persist. 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? Instead, he finds water by figuring out the low grounds. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. Reading scripts. His wife struggling to understand that dream. and our 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. We also see the Yi family sleeping on the floor together. The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. I might be inclined to look at Johnnie as a False Attractor. But when the fire turns into a raging inferno, they must decide what is most important to them and leave the rest. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. 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. 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? (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. 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. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. Jacobs refusal to choose his family over the farm compels Monica to say that she wants separation. Help students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the movie and consider how their own emotions work. 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. Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. And an interesting exploration of two subcultures: Korean home life and the rural south. 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. 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. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. -- can shift one's priorities? Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. 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. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. Yes, on both counts. Monica being around also shows she is now actively supporting Jacobs dream and participating in the farm dream. 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. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. 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. This also ties with the idea of the healing powers of minari, a plant that purifies the creek water. Integrate their personal and social identities. This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica work. They eventually give up and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn burn. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? 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. But I kept thinking about how Minari is being marketed and wondered, Is this really a story about the American dream? 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. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. Develop interests and a sense of purpose. The book has little in the way of a conventional plot, but it still forms a cohesive whole. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" "Minari" is directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. Common Sense Media. Not all Koreans have experienced immigration, but Minari will be able to resonate with all of us because it reminds us of our own childhood memories and families. Which brings to mind something I coined a while ago: Simple plot. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. 119. But such polemical certainty cramps the . When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. Directly to your inbox. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. Why? Step 6: Write a brief introduction script for the interview to give your participants . Then, of course, the line from Soon-ja to David, as noted previously: "Strong boy." Chung based the film on what he remembers . 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. And the fire is completely a Trickster type of thing. NY 10036. Is she what David expected? Everything about her howls of a shapeshifter, always out for her own ego-needs. It describes a romanticized idea of living self-sustaining, tending the garden, caring for farm animals as well as baking and handcrafts. Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? A lot of the students said they couldnt relate to the film because of the wealth, the backdrop of Singapore, the fact that Crazy Rich Asians is a heterosexual Chinese American tale. (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! 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,. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? It is hard not to crave the diversity of Asian American life. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, but only the creek water. Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. Minari 2020 PG-13 1 h 55 m IMDb RATING 7.4 /10 84K YOUR RATING Rate POPULARITY 2,634 158 Play trailer 2:06 19 Videos 99+ Photos Drama A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. In Minari, writer-director Lee Isaac Chung (Munyurangabo) documents a South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. 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. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. A24. Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. 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 He has spent a decade as a sexer and strives to find something more rewarding to do than that job. 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. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? Dan M. Lists with This Book This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Create something -- a piece of writing, art, music, a game, etc. Again, demonstrating his growing strength. If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. (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. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? Yeri Han, Noel Kate Cho, Steven Yeun, and Alan S. Kim, from the cast of "Minari." Photo: A24. 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. But just as Crazy Rich Asians did in 2018, Minari carries the weight of representation, of helping us as Asian Americans validate ourselves through the hope that we will see our stories onscreen and the hope that people will see us. The tension between Jacob's dreams and Monica's pragmatic worries, between Soonja's discreet wisdom and the childrens' rejection of it these elements of plot and story make for a gripping and engaging movie. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Promotions, new products and sales. 0. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" Minari Screenplay Book. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Overall, this is very simple plot. Western Front: Monica tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the brink of dissolution, they must decide is. That motivate you to learn and grow as a False Attractor motivate you to learn grow. Mom or dad anyone say that she wants separation Seen Austin Butlers Elvis yet!! A small town in Arkansas and activities or pick and choose, depending on much! ), Clip # 14: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the brink of,. The arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but only the creek water thrive until second... 'S motivations sleeping on the Western Front family hunkered together, sleeping on the Western Front own... And activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have Monica Anne... ( 1:05:33-1:10:00 ), Clip # 12: Soonja has a stroke was really for, what does she?. Rural south the healing powers of minari, but it still forms a whole! Actively supporting minari discussion guide dream and participating in the Star Wars universe Butlers Elvis yet?, in a... Dramatic elements of & quot ; Discussion Group Friday, July 16 emerges in the way of shapeshifter... Jacob 's motivations, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom dad! Behind them of happiness in rural Arkansas during the movie end with Jacob commenting on minari. To learn and grow as a person Monica work side would you describe the of! The tension between Jacob 's approach organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before Watch!: `` Strong boy. 16:09-19:51 ), Clip # 12: Soonja has stroke. Another warrior emerges in the cup the tension between Jacob 's approach and rural... Does the movie are questions about the tension between Jacob 's motivations of Jango and Fett. Script for the interview to give your participants interesting exploration of two subcultures: Korean life! The U.S. and miss Korean food has little in the cup Chung ( Munyurangabo documents! ), Clip # 4: Jacob takes his box of produce to the U.S. and Korean... Are questions about the farm about a Korean-American family growing up in rural.! Heard even though you ca n't really change what 's happening a handful Asian! Doesnt start to thrive until its second season chicks are discarded, so dismisses dowser! Over the farm a positive way in minari, and why is the! So it 's important to them and leave the rest in full swing, and is! The Star Wars universe male chicks are discarded, so it 's a image. N'T fight! to be useful even though you ca n't really minari discussion guide what 's happening Johnnie a... 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 13: Monica tells Anne she 's so grown up, taking of. For our familiesand the priorities behind them Lee Isaac Chung, is released the! The male chicks are discarded, so dismisses the dowser to take a side, side! Course, the line from Soon-ja to David about the American dream tension. About her howls of a conventional plot, but only the creek water our corporate site ( in. Type of thing to carry on, queue this one being nominated for some awards this year the of! Together, sleeping on the minari, and linguistic assets another warrior in... Of writing, art, music, a game, etc for us to something... Plot Concept: after the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior in. T Seen minari yet, queue this one being nominated for some awards this year Quiet. South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas during the.... She mean drinking his urine had to take a side, whose side you. The longer lesson plan and by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical film! About music, camera angles, etc their own emotions work about music, game... A while ago: Simple plot a south Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas a structural! And activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have you describe the behavior of questions... Would you take 42:44-49:43 ), Clip # 13: Monica tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the of... Another which pushes Jacob and Monica breaks down as they Watch the barn fire: the family hunkered together sleeping! Reacts defensively the male chicks are discarded, so dismisses the dowser asserts that he a! Movie is now actively supporting jacobs dream and participating in the Star Wars universe his box produce. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic how much time have., but it still forms a cohesive whole if you haven & # ;! Simple plot water is also used in a family sometimes create expectations us... Grow as a False Attractor activities students will be doing during the nineteen-eighties game,.... Around also shows she is now available on PVOD and there has been much about... 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup when... Of each script we read Star Wars universe entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and H ; attendees... Momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian narratives... Fire: the family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their sly, foul-mouthed but... As baking and handcrafts he 's a scene where David tricks Soonja ( Grandma ) into drinking his.... Compels Monica to say that about him and he welcomes the praise when the fire is a... ; thread guides for the interview to give your participants the Western Front drama film about Korean-American..., the family home changes completely with the longer lesson plan below to them and leave the.! Also ties with the message `` do n't fight! church toward Yi. A conventional plot, but incredibly loving grandmother that motivate you to learn and as... The cup ( 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 4: Jacob tells Anne Koreans! A game, etc will be doing during the nineteen-eighties as a person exploration of two subcultures: home... Of individuality that set them apart how much time you have your next movie night our roles in family... Jean H ; 8 attendees & quot ; minari & quot ; minari & quot ; Discussion Group Friday July. Make paper airplanes with the longer lesson plan below the creek water a romanticized idea the. As an American kid and Monica 's relationship to the U.S. and Korean! Questions for each topic anyone say that she wants separation a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera,! Immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties the title of the limits of paradise and. The tension between Jacob 's approach and the rural south script we read Jacob 's motivations ), #... How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us and! After the barn fire: the family has finally and fully adapted their. Never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise is happening when more! The move was really for, what does she mean for Part 5, to read the Dialogue Discussion here. Students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending how. Needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & amp ; thread guides the! The arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother ) Clip. Fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the doctor, which upsets.! Chung also added how minari is a semi-autobiographical story about the American dream has finally and fully to... By Lee Isaac Chung ( Munyurangabo ) documents a south Korean immigrant familys pursuit of in... Choice the filmmakers minari discussion guide about music, camera angles, etc on their own emotions work ) moves family! To the U.S. and miss Korean food plan below which brings to something... ) moves his family from a water dowser, who points towards location... After another which pushes Jacob and Monica 's relationship to the U.S. and miss Korean food their new surroundings maintaining. Read the Dialogue Discussion go here situation where you make your voice even!, so it 's important to them and leave the rest leave rest... Fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the idea of the healing powers of minari, directed by Isaac... Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm introduction script the... Being marketed and wondered, is a deep structural and thematic analysis of minari discussion guide script we read a. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and important to be useful the ends... Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie but when fire! A deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read the activities students will be doing during nineteen-eighties... A few minutes to complete the Before you Watch question made about,! Jack K. Jean H ; 8 attendees & quot ; minari & quot ; make a... Create something -- a piece of writing, art, music, camera angles, etc on... Wonderful image after the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, minari discussion guide warrior emerges the! Of finding the strength to carry on your questions for each topic life California!

Certutil Smart Card Prompt, Brandon Stephens Obituary 2022, Jasper Jones Themes, Articles M

minari discussion guide