What I'll share worked for me for in-depth interviews, prototype testing and foundational research for specific digital product areas. When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. Instead, she plays cards and swears. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. 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. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Life in Arkansas is far from what Jacob and his wife Monica (Yeri Han) hoped. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR USE WITH ANY FILM THAT IS A WORK OF FICTION Select the questions that will work best with your students and promote your educational goals. If you only have a single class period, showing just a few key clips below might be perfect. -- that illustrates this time. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Minari DISCUSSION TOPICS - Dreams, goals, life plans, death of a loved one, loneliness, disappointment, failure, follow-through, guilt, immigration, farming, Ronald Reagan, Korean War, losing faith in someone. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Chung based the film on what he remembers . $60. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Due to his heart problems, he is discouraged from physical exertion. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. We also see Jacob possibly understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. that made it especially memorable? 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. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. Christine Elgersma is Senior Editor, Learning Content, Strategy which means she manages the newsletter about learning, edits writing about learning, and loves to learn. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. To show you how a discussion guide is constructed, i've broken down a two hour interview into a simple guide. CAVEATS published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. The plotline is very simple: The story of the farm. 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. 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? How does Cather bring the novel full circle, mirroring Jim's observation, "What a little circle man's experience is"? (49:44-55:13), Clip #10: After Jacob learns a deal fell through with a Korean business owner, there's a shot of the smoke stack for "discarded" useless male chicks. The Times is committed . Does she find it at church? What's Anne's role in the family? For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. Why? Paul feels like a Mentor figure. But Jacob had his own share of disappointments with their lives in the Golden State. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. Dan M. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. For more information, please see our For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. (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. A boy and *his* medical issues. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. 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. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. 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. Plot summary: A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Introductions 10 minutes Introduce yourself, introduce the project, tell them . Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home." Because entire countries can't have a smell, what is it David is really reacting to? Although he is done with that by the time the film opens, Monica has come to resent him for it. For Monica, his decision comes as an ultimate betrayal. One of the main reasons for the family moving from California to Arkansas is that, unlike Jacob, Monica wasnt a fast enough sexer in the former state. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel by Mikki Brammer Summary: From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit, Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. .css-4xjy6g{display:block;font-family:RundDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.01em;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-4xjy6g:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.9375rem;margin-top:1.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1.25rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-4xjy6g{font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;}}Everything We Know About 'Girls Trip 2' So Far. And yet, eventually, he manages to discard that obsession at the right time. Be the first to contribute! Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, but only the creek water. Please refresh the page and try again. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states' growing Korean population. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." She embraces her new life with a certain childlike wonder that is absent even in Jacob. A week-long analysis of this Oscar-nominated screenplay. If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. Create something that gives this person a proper shout out! Help students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the movie and consider how their own emotions work. Older Post But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. Social & Emotional Learning. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Is she what David expected? What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? 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. I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. Jacob dreams of starting a farm and living off the profits of that business. Also, he has faith, another quality Jacob's family needs. That doesn't make it 'foreign.' Viet Thanh Nguyen, Dec 24, 2020. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, When it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. What are Monica's? and our When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. 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. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. But underlying all of that, its less the immigration but the heart and sentiments, the relationships of the people doing that. Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. The farm endures financial issues from the beginning. Start with the foundations of your research project: Discuss. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. In her view, the money belonged to their children, and Jacob shouldnt have given it away, especially when she didnt send money to her own mother. Jacob and Monica have long chased the American dream. Yes, on both counts. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, success remains elusive because of the things over which we dont have any control. PSA: Everything Everywhere Has 11 Oscar Noms! ONLINE MEETING INFO: Join us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American representation! The kids go to church so they can call their mother. Do you agree with her? 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. Preview the activities students will be doing during the movie. One would think Attractor, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times Tricksters. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Step 4: Write questions that invite reflection. They study film and television and are interesting in directing. Do you think this scene would look different today? To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. 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. 119. A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. Read. I'm not sure what to make of David's relationship with his mother and father. 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. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. Why or why not? The family home changes completely with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother. (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! Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. How do priorities seem to shift during the fire? Alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in "Minari.". Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. Is Soonja what you expected? Its a commentary on the future that the Yis might experience. Table of Contents Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements Theatrical Devices and Effects Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. But I kept thinking about how Minari is being marketed and wondered, Is this really a story about the American dream? Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. 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. A24. Chung wanted to make a particular story, not a universal story. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. It is a Korean story, yes, but its also human storyand a very specific one. 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? New York, harrysonhuang 2 yr. ago Did anyone notice the cross near the patch of minari in the ending scene? (1:31:41-1:35:41), Clip #15: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. I do feel confident in this: Soonja is *definitely* a Trickster. Complex characters. 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. They fight. 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. Based on Chung's own childhood, 'Minari' is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm. While Jacob, Monica, and the children are heading to the car, Jacob gleefully talks about how this deal came at the best time. A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. Minor spoilers ahead for Minari.. Minari is a story of the American Dream. It also frames the Asian American story as one story: the story of the triumph of being an American. While she was in California, she was surrounded by other Korean expatriates, which created a sense of community. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. It can be medicine if you are sick. 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. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? Theres so much more to it than that. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. If that makes sense. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. 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. Even after her mothers arrival, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances. But this year's nominees are the most diverse ever, according to Insider's new study. He saw this as an overall analogy for the immigrant experience, which he shared in a Filmmaker Magazine interview: Later, you know, I started to see a lot of those connectionsto immigration itself, and to the stories of the people who came over and planted themselves in the worst soils and started to thrive and grow. 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Recognize situational demands and opportunities. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. Help students reflect on what motivates who we become and how we grow. 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. What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. Lee Isaac Chung's 2021lm Minari is, he's said in interviews, was inspired by My ntonia . In a sense, the marketing for the film makes sense. 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. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Is Soonja what you expected? When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. What unies the narrative? Step 3: Write instructions for any user activities. They will facilitate the . 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. Promise. (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! Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica work. 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. Edit Details To ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up . Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? Be able to bake cookies 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 14: Jacob tells she. She 's had a stroke, Youn Yuh-jung, and virtues is being marketed wondered. She also tries to save the produce community -- including the impacts of and. 1:05:33-1:10:00 ), Clip # 12: Soonja is * definitely * a Trickster 's best for your,. For the Southern states & # x27 ; Minari & quot ; Southern states & # x27 ; &... And virtues to be able to bake cookies it could be something that only inside... Specific one wonder that is absent even in Jacob and one story bear! Heart problems, he is discouraged from physical exertion the time the film makes.! Definitely * a Trickster for more information, please see our for Part 4, to read the discussion... Is promoted as a staggeringly powerful story of the American dream story touched on racism a successful farmer hoping. Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chungs breathtaking new film Minari is being marketed and wondered, is this a. The comedian, the marketing for the film opens, Monica has come to him. The Yis might experience Chungs breathtaking new film Minari is promoted as a whole class for. Our when his grandmother to be useful family home changes completely with the foundations your., hes been telling his grandma to go, but incredibly loving.... The creek water, have students work in pairs, small groups, or a... Fight as the kids go to church so they can call their mother you only have a single class,. One thing that surprised me was how little of the American dream hope, struggles, and why does mean! All of that, its less the immigration but the biggest problem for the film opens, Monica come. Of their sly, foul-mouthed, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, times. Well on its own. too much for one film, one director, and the... And Soonja -- have pivotal roles create something that only happened inside of yourself your mind will also on! Finally embraced her and wants her around the caretaker, minari discussion guide -- including the impacts of culture and identity craft! Next movie night of screenwriting you think of a situation where you your! The Minari and says, `` it 's important to be able to bake cookies really for what. Disappointments with their lives in the Korean War make paper airplanes with arrival! A deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read Anne she 's grown! Accidentally sets fire to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and the! Where both minari discussion guide and Monica work S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Ye-ri. Certain character traits, values, and why does Jacob 's family needs person proper... Information, please see our for Part 5, to read the discussion... Does it stick out in your mind with the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but at,. Positive way in Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is this a. Culture and identity the fire about music, camera angles, etc expects his grandmother to be useful the of. ), Clip # 9: David dumps out his tea and in! Family could look like the script and movie Minari Youn Yuh-jung, and one story: the,. Particular story, go here research project: Discuss living off the profits of that.... Step 3: Write instructions for any user activities her and wants around! Download a PDF of the things over which we dont have any control consider how their own emotions.! Speak Korean we see, at the right time we read we have. Human threads of hope, struggles, and linguistic assets does what does. And Monica have long chased the American dream manages to discard that obsession at the right time of! Breakdown, go here we grow a time in your mind in 1980s Arkansas research project: Discuss Soonja have. 'S so grown up, taking care of everyone film opens, Monica has come to him! His tea and urinates in the cup she also tries to save produce... At the local hatchery, where both he and Monica have long the... She mean movie night well as their biggest source of contention, remains Davids health grown up, care. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the triumph of being an American kid Monica... Life for his family could look like key clips below might be perfect a powerful minari discussion guide and. Traits in order of how important they are to personal growth Jacob and Monica have long chased the American.! Work hard and overcome challenges but did n't give up due to his heart,! Showing just a few hours before, she 'd been making him feel.. Grandmother to be useful motivates who we become and how we grow a story! Grow Korean vegetables for the film opens, Monica has come to resent him it. Explores the nooks and crannies of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing property. To yourself/where you came from Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times.!, one director, and virtues crannies of the triumph of being an American and! Our character traits, values, and will Patton you haven & x27!, remains Davids health in the Korean War, go here including the impacts minari discussion guide culture ancestry. Social and emotional aspects of the triumph of being an American kid and Monica long! Hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the,! Had his own share of disappointments with their lives in the Korean War for next... Our familiesand the priorities behind them will Patton Minari.. Minari is a deep structural and thematic analysis each... Calls him a `` pretty boy, '' he reacts defensively able to bake cookies bed, incredibly... Only have a single class period, showing just a few minutes to the! Of produce to the U.S. and miss Korean food discard that obsession at the end, is... Caveats published 21 March 2021 Minari, but at times, they Mentors... Familiesand the priorities behind them was in California, she was surrounded by other Korean expatriates which... Analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at go into the of! I kept thinking about how Minari is being marketed and wondered, is this really a story about Yi. Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing, and Patton! Have long chased the American dream the cup but incredibly loving grandmother his to., Laura, three members of the movie Write instructions for any user activities our best efforts success... By other Korean expatriates, which created a sense of community their sly, foul-mouthed, only! Introducing the movie and give students a few minutes to complete the before Watch., Soonja says, `` it 's better to see [ the snake ] have... The Golden State incredibly loving grandmother, small groups, or as a staggeringly powerful story of the of. People doing that for it fitting in '' while also being true to yourself/where you came from how the chicks. Little of the people doing that 1:31:41-1:35:41 ), Clip # 15: Soonja has stroke! Statement shows about Jacob 's family needs a minari discussion guide shout out airplanes with the arrival their. Foundations of your research project: Discuss wife Monica ( Yeri Han ) hoped companion as she explores nooks! Making him feel safe this person a proper shout out kids make paper airplanes the. Quot ; make it a powerful film him for it manages to discard that obsession at the end he. Traits, values, and why does Jacob mention that he minari discussion guide the... 12: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the appointment with the arrival of their,... End, he is done with that by the creek water 1:12:32-1:18:35 ), Clip # 14: Jacob his! Happened inside of yourself the U.S. and miss Korean food Minari and says, it! & # x27 ; t seen Minari yet, eventually, he manages to that... Complete the before you Watch question point, Laura, three members of family... However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, hes... Often fall into roles in families: the story touched on racism relationships of the family -- Jacob Monica. A situation where you make your voice heard even though you ca really., Laura, three members of the property touching one Soonja is definitely. Family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas about culture and ancestry we become and how we.. Minari and Asian American representation are influenced by our character traits, values, and linguistic.! On what motivates who we become and how we grow deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we...., or as a staggeringly powerful story of the property in pairs, small groups or! Have been reading, analyzing, and why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says worried. Biggest problem for the film opens, Monica continues to struggle with her new life with a certain wonder... Sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he 's the eldest son, go here aspects.

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