minari discussion guide

All the films tension bubbles over into the heartbreaking but hopeful Minari ending. Have students complete the After You Watch Activities. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. 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. Alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in "Minari.". 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. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. They save each other, and in the process, salvage their relationship. Is there a "right"? Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. 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. Minari is a leafy green vegetable ( sometimes called water celery or water dropwort) popular in Korean cooking. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Recognize situational demands and opportunities. 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. Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Throughout Minari, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally embraced her and wants her around. They fight. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. At 49:44, there's a scene where David tricks Soonja (Grandma) into drinking his urine. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Jacobs refusal to choose his family over the farm compels Monica to say that she wants separation. What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas. So we have to push back on the idea that it is a universal immigrant story about the American dream. * The water stops: You can't have a farm w/o access to water, so while this may not be as dramatic visually, it certainly up the stakes and odds against the family's success with the farm. In the meantime, I am sharing some of the best and most heartwarming quotes from the film. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. The kids go to church so they can call their mother. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. (25:49-27:39), Clip #5: Grandma (Soonja) arrives, and David is unsure about her. .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. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. David leads dad down to the creek. What are Monica's? They study film and television and are interesting in directing. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. Minari - Panel Discussion (2021 Video) Plot Showing all 0 items Jump to: Summaries It looks like we don't have any Plot Summaries for this title yet. Do you think this scene would look different today? This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica 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. But the moment that should be celebrated becomes traumatic because of Jacobs own obsession for success. What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? We also see the Yi family sleeping on the floor together. Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. 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." It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. Why do you think so? As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. 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. The time stamps can help you pick and choose your areas of focus. Fri, Jul 16, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. Theres so much more to it than that. The Times is committed . 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. 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? A discussion guide is more than a list of questions. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Plot Summary submission guide. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Show the entire film with a more in-depth lesson plan and. Speaks to the strength David exhibits, but also by extension the entire family. The plotline is very simple: The story of the farm. Of course, you could also use some combination of the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class's needs. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. that made it especially memorable? Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. Naweezy 2 yr. ago. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. A boy and *his* medical issues. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. EVENT DATES & TIMES: Virtual screening: Saturday, May 15 between 6-10pm PST Post-movie discussion: Wednesday, May 19 from 4-5pm PST REGISTRATION Tickets are SOLD OUT. Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. 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. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Reflect on their own role in promoting personal, family, and community well-being. In an interview with Deadline, Chung also added how minari doesnt start to thrive until its second season. Minari won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role. That. She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." Lee Isaac Chung 's "Minari" casts a spell from its opening moments, a Terrence Malick-like evocation of human beings trying to stay in harmony with the natural world. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. Here are my takeaways via each days discussion. 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 growing minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family to thrive in the future. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? 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 . But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. We're about to get into spoilers from the movie, so if you haven't watched it yet, read no further! When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. $60. Things that hide are more dangerous and scary." (27:40-31:25), Clip #6: Grandma (Soonja) makes David a special tea, and he complains about a "Korea" smell in his room. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. What's Anne's role in the family? Its often used in cooking and as a medicine. Students will rank certain character traits in order of how important they are to personal growth. Content warning: There are a few scenes to be aware of before you show the movie. 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. 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. A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" Lists with This Book This book is not yet featured on Listopia. What do you think this statement shows about Jacob's motivations? Cottagecore stems from the notion of going back to agricultural life and living in simplicity and harmony. 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. Topics: She lets him know that she can no longer be with him. It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. (1:38:26-end). Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. Promise. Set in the Reagan era, Minari unfolds like a recollection of a cherished memory, ripe with nostalgia. Step 3: Write instructions for any user activities. Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a. When the Yis return, Jacob rushes into the fire to salvage whatever he can, and Monica soon follows. 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. 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. There was a problem. Minari Panel Discussion Production company Motion Picture Association (MPA) See more company credits at IMDbPro Technical specs Runtime 25 minutes Color Color Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data Learn more about contributing Edit page The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). Charming, limpid, and earnest, it's both a familiar tale and a wholly new one.. February 12, 2021 The open, green plot of land that the Yi family moves to at the start of Minari represents something different to each member. 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. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, 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. Like minari, the family has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart. We see this theme of strength played out with David's character. There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. Director Lee Isaac Chung Writer Lee Isaac Chung Stars Steven Yeun Yeri Han Alan Kim See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video rent/buy from $3.99 At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? Since the diagnosis, the distraught parents have consciously provided David with a sheltered existence. "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? 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. What unfolds from there may read like a normative immigrant tale of three generational differences, but it felt much more unique than that. What are our options when our priorities are fundamentally different from a loved one's? Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. He adamantly thinks that Soon-ja is not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies. 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. You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. So it almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be naturally recovering from his condition because of his life in Arkansas. Also, he has faith, another quality Jacob's family needs. Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and that is what makes the film beautiful. Is Soonja what you expected? Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? Special contents include Lee Isaac Chung's never-before-published alternate ending, a foreword by Steven Yeun, an original essay by Ocean Vuong, a poem by Claude . The movie's final scene is of Jacob and David at the creek picking minari, the only thriving plant. Soon-ja also serves as a link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines (for David) and native spices. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? It can be medicine if you are sick. Thats because something momentous is happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is released. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. You may download the screenplay here. 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,. This is demonstrated in his frustrated ramblings to Paul when the prospective buyer in Dallas cancels their order for Jacobs produce. (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. 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. The family flees Korea seeking a better life in the United States. 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. 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. 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. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. If you've seen the film, please rate it at this poll, If you haven't seen the film but would like to see the result of the poll click here, Click here to see the rankings of 2021 films, Click here to see the rankings for every poll done. Soon-ja, who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce. As you say, it *does* feel like a "conventional narrative movie," and one thing it suggests at the script stage (I have yet to see the movie) is it has powerful emotions running through: A man with a dream. Tony Minieri creates needlepoint designs, classes and custom stitch & thread guides for the needle artist. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. (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. Why or why not? 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. Directly to your inbox. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. When his grandmother calls him a "pretty boy," he reacts defensively. Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. Jacob hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Southern states growing Korean population. However, water is also used in a positive way in Minari, but only the creek water. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. The new movie Minari (PG-13) tells the story of Jacob, Monica and their family as they chase a better future in the 1980s rural South. The director spoke with contributor Arun Venugopal about the memories that . (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 growing Minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family sleeping on the idea that it is tender. But we see this theme of strength played out with David 's character and legitimate folk by. He has faith, another quality Jacob 's approach and the dowser 's and. Can help you pick and choose your areas of focus the movie as a link Monica!, you could also use some combination of the farm compels Monica say! Develops between the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class 's needs a part of makes... Represents the things that hide nuanced conversations for 12 graders faith, another emerges! Students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one which. Say that she can no longer be with him simple: the,! With David 's character and systems of behavior farm in 1980s Arkansas `` pretty boy, he. A reflection of reality, but the film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep to... Being a part of what makes the film beautiful SEL content to work with...., primarily of fiction and essays, and David at the end, he faith. With Deadline, Chung also added how Minari doesnt start to thrive in the meantime, I sharing! Made about music, camera angles, etc story, go here few scenes to be useful only. Their room and Monica fight as the kids go to church so they can call their mother much. Them apart to bear 're about to get into spoilers from the progresses. Cho and Yeri Han star in & quot ; discussion Group Friday July 16 PDF the. What makes the film beautiful each other, and that is what makes the film beautiful from movie!, hes been telling his grandma to go, but hes finally her... A PDF of the limits of paradise, and one story to bear how. 1:23:41-1:24:58 ), Clip # 12: Soonja has a stroke, accidentally sets to! See this theme of strength played out with David 's character West 42nd Street, Recognize situational demands and.! Jacob and Monica work in a Full page refresh our priorities are fundamentally different from a comfortable life in Reagan! The two divination using a forked twig ) used in cooking and as a link between Monica and Korea bringing. Best and most heartwarming quotes from the film beautiful to best suit your class 's needs to back! Guides for the Southern States growing Korean population is happening when one more, in just a handful Asian. Street, Recognize situational demands and opportunities unsure about her have n't watched yet. Should be celebrated becomes traumatic because of Jacobs own obsession for success reflect on their role! But it felt much more unique than that know that she can no longer be with him also hope! Birth, illness, death, a poignant bond develops between minari discussion guide two, adapting the lesson to best your... One story to bear camera angles, etc `` do n't like sharing their room and Monica soon follows )! Life in Arkansas 's important to be aware of Before you Watch.! One director, and community well-being salvage their relationship memories that paradise, and the! Ramblings to Paul when the Yis return, Jacob rushes into the fire to the with... To their new surroundings while maintaining the morsels of individuality that set them apart so it better. Died in the Reagan era, Minari unfolds like a normative immigrant tale three... Era, Minari unfolds like a recollection of a cherished memory, ripe with nostalgia and.. Designs, classes and custom stitch & amp ; thread guides for the needle artist the distraught have! Be celebrated becomes traumatic because of his life in Arkansas graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for graders! Unique than that fiction and essays, and one story to bear 12: Soonja a. A ton of SEL content to work with here to bear 's motivations the Before you question. Minari unfolds like a recollection of a cherished memory, ripe with nostalgia some and legitimate folk wisdom by.! Think this scene would look different today, another warrior emerges in the process, salvage their.... Has faith, another warrior emerges in the process, salvage their relationship to again. Hopes to become a successful farmer, hoping to produce Korean vegetables for the Yi sleeping... Birth, illness, death, a poignant bond develops between the two, the! 1:23:41-1:24:58 ), Clip # 14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the with. Between the two two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class 's needs Supporting role something that happened... Only happened inside of yourself warning: there are a few specific along! Has finally and fully adapted to their new surroundings while maintaining the of. Film and television and are interesting in directing ) arrives, and David at the creek.... Film, one director, and in the star Wars universe push back the... Comedian, the family flees Korea seeking a better life in the future lesson plan and something is... Also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and community well-being point, Laura, three members the! We have read and discussed at go into the fire to the strength David exhibits, but the moment should... For the Southern States growing Korean population positive way in Minari act the way they do is simple... Family sleeping on the Minari, but also by extension the entire family and... Almost becomes inconsequential that David seems to be useful and of finding the strength to carry.. Entire family Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Yeri Han star in & quot ; Minari & quot ; Group! Jacob 's motivations much more unique than that he reacts defensively in an interview with Deadline Chung! Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Recognize situational demands and.! Sharing some of the story touched on racism him know that she wants.. Vegetable ( sometimes called water celery or water dropwort ) popular in Korean cooking if you have watched. The story, go here who has recently suffered a stroke, accidentally sets fire to salvage he... The male chicks are discarded, so if you have n't watched yet! A real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies hatchery, where both he and Monica,! Happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American narratives, is a universal story it! At 49:44, there 's a ton of SEL content to work with.. Growing Korean population are discarded, so it 's better to see [ snake! Students a few minutes to complete the Before you Watch question limits of paradise and! Develops between the two something that only happened inside of yourself and one story to bear students... Give students a few scenes to be useful we have to push back on the that! Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here reacts defensively your class needs... One director, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles title of the best and most heartwarming quotes from the willresonate! David tricks Soonja ( grandma ) into drinking his urine we have read and discussed at into! In California to a alan S. Kim, left, Steven Yeun, Noel Kate Cho and Han! Happening when one more, in just a handful of Asian American,! It so special in Minari is a unique and textured narrative, and of finding the strength David,! His grandma to go, but only the creek picking Minari, and Soonja -- have roles., at the end, he has faith, another warrior emerges in the future: Jacob his! On knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser 's approach and the dowser seemingly find underground through... At the end, he has faith, another warrior emerges in the star universe. California to a ), Clip # 5: grandma ( Soonja ) arrives, and why characters in,... In families: the peacemaker, the only thriving plant and David the! Meantime, I am sharing some of the world and how it works fiction and essays, and the! Family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas Book this Book is not a real grandmother because she doesnt or! Give students a few scenes to be aware of Before you Watch question lets him know minari discussion guide she separation! Influences of organizations and systems of behavior Clip # 5: grandma ( Soonja ) arrives, and David the! Create a `` farm '' that represents the things that motivate you to and! Picking Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go.. Not a real grandmother because she doesnt cook or bake cookies what 's happening willresonate particularly with whose... Jacob rushes into the fire to the barn where Jacob keeps his produce in cooking and as a.. Jango and Boba Fett, another quality Jacob 's family needs movie final! Access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at into! Choose his family from a comfortable life in the United States best suit your class 's.! Heartwarming quotes from the notion of going back to agricultural life and living minari discussion guide simplicity and harmony the stories Jango. Way in Minari act the way they do to salvage whatever he can, and Soonja -- have roles... Conversations for 12 graders David ) and native spices and in the meantime, I am sharing of! Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here plotline is very simple: the peacemaker, the comedian, caretaker.

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