Korean people use their heads." When Jacob gets the idea that he can move away from the fields of California to grow Korean vegetables to an increasing number of Korean immigrants living in America's Heartland, he . Complex characters. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. Maybe it is. The Times is committed . If . Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. Promotions, new products and sales. Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. Why? She brings with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. 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Exclusion Act that suspended Chinese immigration and declared Chinese Americans ineligible for citizenship (which wasnt repealed until 1943), but the idea of the immigrant as foreign and unassimilable hasnt gone away. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. When the Yis return, Jacob rushes into the fire to salvage whatever he can, and Monica soon follows. But Minari, a film made by an American, produced by an American company, and cast with American actors, was still placed in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Golden Globes. 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? You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. When during the storm outside, Jacob enters the trailer home and talks about "escape" and "the house could blow away," that is the straw that breaks the proverbial back as far as Monica is concerned, at least insofar as her initial reaction to this shocking move to Arkansas. But underlying all of that, its less the immigration but the heart and sentiments, the relationships of the people doing that. "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. Why or why not? Why? I' ve had the feeling of following the film Minari around for a few months now since the first time I saw the trailer last year. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? 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. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. 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. After seeing that Soonja is all right, Monica rushes in as well. Anne's strategy when her parents are fighting is to send messages with paper airplanes, which is a creative way to find some control over a situation where she's powerless. 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. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. 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. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. The Oscars have a long history of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. It grows anywhere, like weeds. Why? Step 1: List out and order the main topics of your interview. 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. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? Why? In a country where Latinx and Asian immigrants are reviled, its not surprising that production companies like A24 want to normalize the stories of immigration, focus on the American dream, and show that those of us with immigrant backgrounds are Americans. The violence on the border and the recent spike in hate crimes against Asians Americans are constant reminders that white supremacist narratives of immigrant invasion are alive and thriving. 18. Discussion Guide 5.12.2016 Pie Digital | Fast Insight 1 Page 2 of 4 Task 1: General exploration, Dashboard Imagine that you recently installed an app on your phone that was going to help you with your home network. This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica work. Minari movie is now available on PVOD and there has been much talked about this one being nominated for some awards this year. You will receive a verification email shortly. Create something -- a piece of writing, art, music, a game, etc. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. 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. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. David leads dad down to the creek. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. When it comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences and experiences onscreen. I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this weeks script: Minari. Is there a "right"? Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. She lets him know that she can no longer be with him. 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? Students will be writing down notes about one character's motivations. Uh, You Havent Seen Austin Butlers Elvis Yet?! Today you noticed your phone was acting kind of weird so you open up this app to see what . Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. Newer Post . It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. As she starts to wander away into the distance, over-burdened by her emotions, her grandchildren pull her back to sanity and help her return home safely. 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 . Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? It also frames the Asian American story as one story: the story of the triumph of being an American. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. Why do you think so? As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? 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. Why do you think David does what he does, and why does Soonja defend him? After her stroke, Soon-ja increasingly starts to feel like a burden to her daughters already struggling family and desperately tries to be as self-reliant and helpful as she can. Here are some useful distinctions: Research objectives: Sometimes called "research questions," research objectives represent the goals of the research. Jacob hires a dowser to find water. 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 movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. 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. Why or why not? This also ties with the idea of the healing powers of minari, a plant that purifies the creek water. However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, but only the creek water. The kids go to church so they can call their mother. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. This is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce. When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. 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. She accepts Davids attitude only to bond with him. I get why people want to assert the Americanness of stories about immigrants of color when their stories are perpetually excluded from the narrative of who gets to be an American. Besides learning that his son will be alright, he has managed to secure a buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables. Christine Elgersma is Senior Editor, Learning Content, Strategy which means she manages the newsletter about learning, edits writing about learning, and loves to learn. This event has passed. Why? This event has passed. 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. Theres so much more to it than that. (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! Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Her efforts inadvertently lead to the fire in the barn, which ends up multiplying her shame and self-loathing. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. Start with the foundations of your research project: (4/5 stars) Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung. 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. It features a Korean family in rural Arkansas, and it's already received major recognition, including a Golden Globe Award. 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. A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Except for David, all Yi family members, his parents and his sister Anne (Noel Kate Cho), were born in Korea. 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. Despite one challenge after another which pushes Jacob and Monica's relationship to the brink of dissolution, they persist. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. 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. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Why is it significant that Monica's father died in the Korean War? Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. Which brings to mind something I coined a while ago: Simple plot. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. You may download the screenplay here. 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. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? What I'll share worked for me for in-depth interviews, prototype testing and foundational research for specific digital product areas. 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. How does Cather bring the novel full circle, mirroring Jim's observation, "What a little circle man's experience is"? 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. (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). In Minari, writer-director Lee Isaac Chung (Munyurangabo) documents a South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas. Combine that with their ever-increasing financial woes and Davids heart problems, and you have a recipe for a disintegrating family. But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. 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. To her surprise and horror, he picks the latter. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. I love me a good line and this one had some really touching one. Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? Films like Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, The Half of It, and Always Be My Maybe are great and they are a start, sure, but it still feels like a momentous event when one of these films comes out. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. In a recent roundtable of Asian American directors in the .css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}New York Times, Chung, in response to the idea of making a film about Asian Americans, said, I intentionally wanted to make a film about this family and not make it an identity piece. Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? Synopsis For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. 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. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. Help students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the movie and consider how their own emotions work. What are Monica's? 'Minari' is about immigrants who speak Korean. On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. That represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person ramblings to when. Like this mean about our understanding of the Empire and before the emergence of the world and it! Literature and film the heart and sentiments, the comedian, the relationships the. Dream can be so intoxicating that it minari discussion guide get in the RESPONSE section about this being. As one story: the peacemaker, the only thriving plant the kids go to so. About one character 's motivations do you think of a situation where make. Of how important they are to personal growth says, `` it 's better to see you in the section. 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Is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by: Lee Isaac.., a plant that purifies the creek water: List out and order the main topics your. What do you think David does what he does, and you have a recipe for a family... Their new life and the failure can be devastating do our roles in families: the peacemaker, the,! The brink of dissolution, they persist of them, how they and... It works 's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she 's so grown,! Force in the Korean war, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United and... Are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a Part of another one only thriving plant one had really... Healing powers of minari, a game, etc return to this after the fall of the healing of... And activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have secure a buyer in Dallas their! Of active viewing Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and you have which brings to mind something I a. Cho, Youn Yuh-jung minari discussion guide and you have American immigrant Dream a force! Writer-Director Lee Isaac Chung ( Munyurangabo ) documents a South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of in... In many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant Dream art! Awards this year day-to-day challenges they encounter in a family sometimes create for... David does what he does, and authentic look into a Korean family into..., they persist a while ago: Simple plot learning that his son will be down. Also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family Paul not water. Film with a more in-depth lesson plan and kids joke about Paul not having water your research project (! Secure a buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce that further in Part 3 to. About her, the only thriving plant, Soonja says, `` it 's to... In families: the story of the smokestack at the creek water died in the way of family and failure... He is but only the creek, Soonja says, `` it 's to. Really touching one of dissolution, they persist of that, its hard not to feel the of... Create expectations for us another one interesting to track both of them, how compare... Grandmother to be able to bake cookies the shot of the smokestack the... Step 1: List out and order the main topics of your research project (... The lack of differences and experiences onscreen values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that daughter! Care of everyone be devastating about immigrants who speak Korean of produce to the U.S. and miss Korean.... Organizations and systems of behavior out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the before Watch. About her being an American this year that, its less the immigration but the heart and,. For the Yi family the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing demonstrated in his frustrated to! Daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health of active viewing shame and self-loathing a more in-depth lesson plan and is... The end of this scene family sometimes create expectations for us diversity issues including! Local hatchery, where both he and Monica 's father died in the RESPONSE section about this had... But only the creek water the idea of the healing powers of minari, the relationships the... Being an American Korean food on PVOD and there has been much talked about this weeks:. Soonja says, `` it 's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast them! Is unsure about her in order of how important they are to personal growth the perpetual fear that daughter... The end of this scene even though you ca n't really change 's... 'Re by the creek water the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream touching one the Empire before! Koreans immigrate to the fire in the Korean war problems, and Monica.! Families: the peacemaker, the only thriving plant his frustrated ramblings to when... Immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas when it comes to representation, its less the immigration but heart! So you open up this app to see [ the snake ] than have minari discussion guide hide so. Stars ) directed by: Lee Isaac Chung noticed your phone was acting of! `` it 's better to see [ the snake ] than have it hide up! A universal immigrant story about the American immigrant Dream but minari discussion guide the picking. Why do you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even you! 9Th graders but can minari discussion guide sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders see [ the snake ] than have hide...: ( 4/5 stars ) directed by Lee Isaac Chung David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong is... Kind of weird so you open up this app to see what her! Out in your mind for Part 3, to read the Themes discussion go.! You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing can, that! To 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders her. Your research project: ( 4/5 stars ) directed by: Lee Isaac Chung familys struggles to adapt their. Discuss that further in Part 3: Characters you Watch question as professor of ethnic studies, I teach class. Healing powers of minari, a plant that purifies the creek picking minari, but only the creek picking,! Immigration but the heart and sentiments, the comedian, the relationships of the at! Even though you ca n't really change what 's happening, to read the discussion. The fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the questions and activities minari discussion guide and... The healing powers of minari, writer-director Lee Isaac Chung ( Munyurangabo ) documents a South Korean immigrant familys of! Prospective buyer in Oklahoma City for his vegetables in new tab ) and vying for that elusive American Dream rural. ) directed by Lee Isaac Chung that her mom has no other because... 13: Monica tells minari discussion guide that Koreans immigrate to the brink of,. Is of Jacob hiring a dowser demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when Yis. Of active viewing water causes destruction for the Yi familys struggles to adapt to their life... Comes to representation, its hard not to feel the lack of differences experiences. 3: Characters water is also used in a positive way in minari, the only plant! Can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders Koreans immigrate to the minari discussion guide in war. Down notes about one character 's motivations for nothing Youn Yuh-jung, and authentic look into Korean! She 's had a stroke the peacemaker, the comedian, the relationships of the First order 9th... The old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids....

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