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. When it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. 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. They have refused to give up and together will continue to make the farm venture work. Minari Screenplay Book. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? 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. (4/5 stars) Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung. They'll also considerhow this might play out for others who aren't like themselves. Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. 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. Reading scripts. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. Lee Isaac Chung's depiction of the often lonely path Korean immigrants must tread towards their American dream has won its stars Yuh-jung Youn and Steve Yeun Oscar nominations 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. Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. This changes after Soon-Jas arrival. Chung based the film on what he remembers . 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. They will facilitate the . For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. Its implied that the Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as a family. It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? Students can write down responses individuallyand then discuss in pairs, small groups, or as a whole class. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. .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. Privacy Policy. When asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of two destructions, first with the flood and then with fire. How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. Digital Citizenship Resources for Families, Workshops for Middle and High School Families, 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, Inside Out and SEL: A Movie Guide and Lesson Plan for Your Classroom, Whale Rider and SEL: A Movie Guide and Lesson Plan for Your Classroom, Teachers' Essential Guide to Showing Movies and Videos in the Classroom. Integrate their personal and social identities. Chung has spoken in many interviews, especially in the Reset interview, about creating a personal story that would leave a legacy for his daughter, but he also wanted a story that everyone saw themselves and got out of it different things. I hear the American dream thrown around a lot [about Minari], and that could mean all kinds of things that I was intentionally not getting into with the movie.. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. 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. Do you think this is a positive or negative thing? If . 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. 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. 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. 119. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. Screenplay written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. 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. Create something -- a piece of writing, art, music, a game, etc. 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 also see Monica and Paul (Will Patton) with Jacob as he pays to find a new water well, something he was against in the beginning. Of course, you could also use some combination of the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class's needs. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. 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? In some ways, todays exercise is the whole point of the series: What did you take away from the experience of reading and analyzing the script? It's a wonderful image after the barn fire: The family hunkered together, sleeping on the floor of their mobile home. 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 then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." Support students' learning, and find the best video streaming sites for schools and classrooms. 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. Monica still wants to leave Jacob, and then all the produce is destroyed. This year also saw the highest number of nominations that went to women across the top . The True Story Behind 'Cocaine Bear' Is Lowkey Sad, All the Best Movies Highlighting Black Characters, All the Austin Butler Movies to Catch Up on, The 34 Best Comedies on Hulu to Watch Now, Important: All of Marvels Upcoming Releases. 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. Soon-ja comes to live with her daughter and her family because of David. He knows how complex the idea of the American dream is and that for many, its a fiction. Grandma drinks it, he's punished, and Grandma defends him. 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. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. They'll also considerhow this might play out for others who aren't like themselves. 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 . To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. Does she find it at church? This event has passed. This is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce. The first week of class, we discussed Crazy Rich Asians, and the conversation around the movie got at this idea. 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. The Times is committed . Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. 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. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). 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? Specifically: "It grows anywhere." But the chest of drawers accident elicits a comment from Soon-ja: "You are a strong boy." Topics: The kids, David (played by Alan Kim) and Anne. It is a Korean story, yes, but its also human storyand a very specific one. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica work. Which brings to mind something I coined a while ago: Simple plot. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. 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. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. It can be medicine if you are sick. By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. Minari first and foremost is a Korean immigrant story, so Korean Americans and Korean immigrants will connect and understand this story in a way that other Americans cannot, but at the heart of this story is a very American story, a story of wanting to better oneself and family. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. A grandmother and her medical issues. Discuss. Not everything that happens in Minari is a reflection of reality, but the film is the semi-autobiographical story of writer/director Lee Isaac Chung. She lets him know that she can no longer be with him. The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. And who is even included in this fantasy of America? "Minari" is directed by Lee Isaac Chung. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). Overall, this is very simple plot. That doesn't make it 'foreign.' Viet Thanh Nguyen, Dec 24, 2020. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. If you had to take a side, whose side would you take? The film ends with the visit from a water dowser, who points towards a location for the next well. Why or why not? Korean people use their heads." (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? that made it especially memorable? Simple plot. 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,. That is, their Attractor function doesn't change overall, rather they don a mentor, nemesis, or trickster mask from time to time to fit where they are emotionally and support their goal at that time. She tries to convince Jacob to move the family closer to the Korean community in the nearby town. His wife struggling to understand that dream. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? The movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. Judging from the script, I'd say David is the Protagonist as the story is told through his perspective. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. The movie, partially based on Chungs life, is set in the 1980s. The mother, Monica (Yeri Han), would rather be in California. The book has little in the way of a conventional plot, but it still forms a cohesive whole. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. Is Soonja what you expected? What's Anne's role in the family? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Jacob then gets more good news when the grocery store owner agrees to have Jacob be his produce supplier. Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). When they find the creek, and after she plants minari seeds, David is there with her to witness the entire process as the plants grow to maturity. Description. MINARI tells the story of the Yi family through the eyes of David (Alan S. Kim), a young boy whose family has uprooted from California to Arkansas to chase his father Jacob's (Steven Yeun) dream of owning a farm.David and his older sister, Anne (Noel Cho), try to find their place in Arkansas, while their mother, Monica (Yeri Han), wishes she was still in California, where she felt comfortable . It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. The growing minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family to thrive in the future. 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. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. Minari is wonderful, wonderful!". To her surprise and horror, he picks the latter. Newer Post . Many people who watch Minari will be blown away by this quiet family epic about the American dream and all the struggles and triumphs that come with it. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. What unfolds from there may read like a normative immigrant tale of three generational differences, but it felt much more unique than that. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Tricksters can also act as allies and that is an example of such a moment. She brings with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. 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. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. MINARI. 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. Table of Contents Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements Theatrical Devices and Effects Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Here is everything you need to know about the films ending. Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? Later, he sprints after his grandmother to retrieve her after Soon-ja wanders off, post-barn fire. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Shadow And Bone: 5 Things To Remember Before Season 2, ABC Execs Are Reportedly Removing Any Remaining Traces Of Amy Robach And TJ Holmes: 'The TV Business Is Rough', Turns Out, Thats An Actor Actually Playing Cocaine Bear, Amidst Alleged Drama With Selena Gomez, Fans Are Remembering Hailey Bieber's Past Obsession With Jelena, Jeremy Renner Nods At Fan-Favorite Marvel Line While Sharing His Recovery Journey After Snowplow Accident. Why or why not? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Even if it doesnt represent the multiplicity of who we are? This is a story that many can connect to because its the story of the American dream. They eventually give up and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn burn. Charming, limpid, and earnest, it's both a familiar tale and a wholly new one.. 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