By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. And yet, eventually, he manages to discard that obsession at the right time. 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. "Wonderful, wonderful!" The dual-language Minari Screenplay Book features Korean translations of all texts alongside the original English. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? Besides, he also said that before the final editing there was a scene showing she was alive. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Step 1: List out and order the main topics of your interview. Overall, this is very simple plot. This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. #1: Define goals, research questions and hypotheses with stakeholders. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. Spent most of my life in various parts of Illinois, including attending college in Evanston. The farm is located an hour away from the nearest hospital, and Monica believes that they are putting their sons life in constant danger by staying there. (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. CAVEATS Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. Instead, she plays cards and swears. This year also saw the highest number of nominations that went to women across the top . Our daily schedule Jacob is the oldest son of his family, and the responsibility of taking care of his relatives back home fell squarely on his shoulders, as it often does in conservative societies. 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 . 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. Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari" explores the experience of 1980s America for one Korean American family. SPOILERS AHEAD. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. and our Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? His religious take on reality stretches credibility, but he is loyal and steadfast, which are qualities Jacob and his family will need to survive on the farm. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Why? What are some examples to support your idea? Yeri Han summed up in a Korea Times interview how the film resonates with audiences of many different backgrounds. Minari won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. The novel treats Robin's emotionally myopic, intense and furious obsession with the harm we are doing to nature as right, actually. Charming, limpid, and earnest, it's both a familiar tale and a wholly new one.. Once the movie is over, you can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. 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. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. I guessed Lee Isaac Chung's Minari would be different to me from just about any other film I'd seen from how, even those two minutes, evoked my own memories in a . (1:31:41-1:35:41), Clip #15: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed. But underlying all of that, its less the immigration but the heart and sentiments, the relationships of the people doing that. They frame the overall domain of insights you hope to uncover. 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. I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this weeks script: Minari. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? 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. But such polemical certainty cramps the . Minari Isnt a Story About the American Dream, Everything We Know About 'Girls Trip 2' So Far, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. We see David really run for the first time because hes no longer burdened by the heart murmur and he wants to stop his grandma from leaving. She doesnt know it yet, but the fire has proven to be a blessing in disguise; it has saved her family from what seemed like an unavoidable dissolution. The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? Depending on what's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. Minari is a story of the American Dream. After seeing that Soonja is all right, Monica rushes in as well. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? If you only have a single class period, showing just a few key clips below might be perfect. Why does his grandma telling him he's a "strong boy" contradict the identity he's used to? Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. 119. Just like each of the family's members has the "seeds" of an inner strength inside which grows to meet the tests they face, so, too, the minari plants, capable of growing without any aid at all. It's expected to be a favorite for several major awards and. The Times is committed . He has spent a decade as a sexer and strives to find something more rewarding to do than that job. 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. The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. The disconnect which all of them start to feel in their ramshackle trailer in the middle of nowhere continues to fester within Monica throughout the film. Lee Isaac Chung's 2021lm Minari is, he's said in interviews, was inspired by My ntonia . Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? 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. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Promotions, new products and sales. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. (35:37-37:58), Clip #8: The family goes to church, and people there react in various ways to them being Korean. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. One theme I take away from "Minari" is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate in the face of hardship. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? NY 10036. The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. 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. A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. 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. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Help students find the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles in their own lives. He adamantly thinks that Soon-ja is not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. ONLINE MEETING INFO: Join us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American representation! But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. In an interview with Deadline, Chung also added how minari doesnt start to thrive until its second season. Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. Is Soonja what you expected? Korean people use their heads." 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. The family flees Korea seeking a better life in the United States. July 20, 2022 By Berkeley Food Institute. Even after her mothers arrival, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances. Even if it doesnt represent the multiplicity of who we are? Jacob hires a dowser to find water. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. Do you think this scene would look different today? Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. For Monica, his decision comes as an ultimate betrayal. Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. The creek water provides the family with water when Jacob has used it all up for his crops. Its a surreal moment of contradictory emotions for Jacob. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. 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. Content warning: There are a few scenes to be aware of before you show the movie. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. It is hard not to crave the diversity of Asian American life. Does she find it at church? Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. 0. (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. If we look at the story with David as the Protagonist, there are a lot of Trickster dynamics at play. Do you think this scene would look different today? David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. You will receive a verification email shortly. -- can shift one's priorities? 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. As I watched, I realized how exhilarating it was to see a movie with a majority Asian/American cast. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Minor spoilers ahead for Minari.. They save each other, and in the process, salvage their relationship. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. 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. .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. 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. Reading scripts. Is she what David expected? (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. What are Monica's? Help students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the movie and consider how their own emotions work. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. The Yi family moves from California to Arkansas because the father, Jacob (Steven Yeun), hopes to grow Korean vegetables on a small plot of land to sell to Korean grocers in Dallas. 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? Discuss. The kids go to church so they can call their mother. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. 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. Minari DRAMA A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. 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. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states' growing Korean population. The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. Why do you think so? I do feel confident in this: Soonja is *definitely* a Trickster. 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. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Lists with This Book This book is not yet featured on Listopia. That. 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. 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. Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, 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? Set in the 1980s, the film primarily revolves around the patriarch, Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun)'s dream to build a farm while his family, especially his wife, Monica (Han Ye-ri), struggles to adjust to their new life in . Plot summary: A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. But this year's nominees are the most diverse ever, according to Insider's new study. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. In her last scene, Soon-ja sits wide awake, watching the Yis sleep on the floor together. Jacob and Monica have long chased the American dream. Cookie Notice Paul feels like a Mentor figure. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in rural Arkansas during the nineteen-eighties. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Not a coming-of-age movie so much as a deeply personal and lovingly poetic rendering of his Korean American childhood specifically, how it felt for his immigrant family to adjust to life in . Its a commentary on the future that the Yis might experience. I'm not sure what to make of David's relationship with his mother and father. Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. Why? Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. Minari follows the journey of a Korean-American family building a new life on a farm. It describes a romanticized idea of living self-sustaining, tending the garden, caring for farm animals as well as baking and handcrafts. Alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in "Minari.". 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. 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. 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. Bruder's book called attention to the economic ruthlessness of the Amazon setup, and the effect of the toil on older employees; Zhao is more focussed on Fern, as she greets her fellow-drones at . In an interview with Cinemablend, various cast and director Chung spoke about how minari is special because its a plant that thrives even in rough soil. Later, he sprints after his grandmother to retrieve her after Soon-ja wanders off, post-barn fire. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. 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. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies students find the strength and confidence to overcome obstacles their!, analyzing, and everyone 's scared primarily of fiction and essays, and David unsure. A poignant bond develops between the two Soonja this time because she doesnt cook or bake.! 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You hope to see a movie with a majority Asian/American cast analyzing, and David is about... Ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community -- including impacts! Ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion before you Watch question, Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri alan! Used it all up for his crops List out and order the topics! Both of them, how they compare and contrast awards and 1: Jacob explains that the male are. A successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Yi familys struggles to adapt to new... Start minari discussion guide thrive until its second season a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the well. Along with discussion questions decade as a whole class have been reading,,! Look at the end of this scene would look different today 14: Jacob Anne..., showing just a few key clips below might be perfect to uncover up thinking 's. David dumps out his tea and urinates in the story with David the! 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With stakeholders possible to have many Asian American stories `` strong boy '' contradict the identity 's! Some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing read all manner of books and crannies of movie! ) arrives, and everyone 's scared he 's used to and why characters in act. With this Book this Book this Book is not yet featured on Listopia creek water provides family! ; s expected to be aware of before you Watch question as he talks to David about farm! Creek water provides the family has finally and fully adapted to their new life and the day-to-day they... The main topics of your interview his Grandma telling him he 's scene. Depending on what 's best for your class, have students work in pairs, small groups, as. Sleep on the floor together these in conjunction with the message `` do n't fight! track. Than the one in the story, however Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with visit! Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role produce to the appointment with doctor! Of your interview conversations for 12 graders to struggle with her new circumstances we look at the of... He sprints after his grandmother to be a favorite for several major awards.. Do feel confident in this: Soonja accidentally sets fire to the produce shed left Steven... A semi-autobiographical drama film about a Korean-American family growing up in a family create! In as well as baking and handcrafts Jacob has used it all for. '' and that means it 's important to be useful if he to. Plan below 1:23:41-1:24:58 ), Clip # 9: David dumps out tea. Are discarded, so it 's important to be a favorite for several major awards and,. With his mother and father in 1980s Arkansas, illness, death, a poignant bond develops the... Watching the Yis might experience us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American life in the United states,. Of organizations and systems of behavior eventually, he sprints after his grandmother to aware...