The kids go to church so they can call their mother. Demonstrate personal and collective agency. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. By marketing the movie as a universal story, it loses part of what makes it so special. A species of water dropwort, minari, also known as Korean watercress, water celery, water parsley, or Java water dropwort, is a vegetable found in temperate and tropical climes across Asia. 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. Or perhaps better to think of them as you portray them: Characters evolving from one type of relationship with David to another. Is Soonja what you expected? 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. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? But we can discuss that further in Part 3: Characters. It stars Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton. 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. It's interesting to track both of them, how they compare and contrast. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. 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. David leads dad down to the creek. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. Why? The Times is committed . "Wonderful, wonderful!" The dual-language Minari Screenplay Book features Korean translations of all texts alongside the original English. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. (1:38:26-end). And although her requests are shot down every time, that is exactly what she does when she is alone with her grandson. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. 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. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. 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 . What do you think Jacob is feeling as he talks to David about the farm? Why or why not? 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. 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. Minari is a leafy green vegetable ( sometimes called water celery or water dropwort) popular in Korean cooking. But such polemical certainty cramps the . As explained in the movie and by the cast, --Chung called it a weed in an interview with The Wrap, but Yuh-jung corrected him and said that its a vegetable-- minari is a versatile plant used in Korean households in various ways. 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. To download a PDF of the breakdown , go here. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Why do you think big events -- like birth, illness, death, a pandemic, etc. harrysonhuang 2 yr. ago Did anyone notice the cross near the patch of minari in the ending scene? 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. Identify a time in your life when you had to work hard and overcome challenges but didn't give up. Here are my takeaways via each days discussion. Yeri Han, Noel Kate Cho, Steven Yeun, and Alan S. Kim, from the cast of "Minari." Photo: A24. Before coming to Common Sense, she helped create ELA curriculum for a K-12 app and taught the youth of America as a high school teacher, a community college teacher, a tutor, and a special education instructional aide for about 18 years. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. Although he is done with that by the time the film opens, Monica has come to resent him for it. On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. 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. One would think Attractor, but at times, they are Mentors, other times Nemeses, other times Tricksters. To access over 90 analyses of previous movie scripts we have read and discussed at Go Into The Story, go here. News & Media Literacy If that makes sense. 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 . A24. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. Is there a "right"? For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. 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 Why? Monica wants a sense of community. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday: DialogueSaturday: Takeaways. For example, the clash between David and his grandmotherDavid has to share his room with her and thinks she smells like Korea, and she entertains him by teaching him card games that have Korean swear wordsis a diverse representation of Asian/American identities: The grandmother is funny and quirky. 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. Everything about her howls of a shapeshifter, always out for her own ego-needs. Who's right? What do you think about the tension between Jacob's approach and the dowser's approach? 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. One theme I take away from "Minari" is strength, specifically the perseverance people demonstrate in the face of hardship. Running time: 115 min. The one thing that surprised me was how little of the story touched on racism. Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? Heres how it works. When asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of two destructions, first with the flood and then with fire. Yeri Han summed up in a Korea Times interview how the film resonates with audiences of many different backgrounds. Chung based the film on what he remembers . (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. It could be something that only happened inside of yourself. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. Its a surreal moment of contradictory emotions for Jacob. But isnt it possible to also particularize Asian American stories beyond the problematic idea that we can all achieve the American dream, especially since that dream can be a nightmare for BIPOC communities? Its a commentary on the future that the Yis might experience. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. In the Minari ending, Jacob and Monica are now working together to get the farm up and running. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." Why does Anne get so angry when Jacob says they worried for nothing? After living in America for a few years, sexing chickens for below minimum wage, the family decides to pack their bags and head from California to Arkansas to start a farm. A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. Is she what David expected? It could be a sculpture or diorama, a drawing, a poem that describes it, or a virtual one (using Minecraft, etc.). Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. 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. What unies the narrative? Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. 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