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. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. They fight. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. 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. For Part 2, to read the Plot discussion, go here. 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 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. What are Monica's? It describes a romanticized idea of living self-sustaining, tending the garden, caring for farm animals as well as baking and handcrafts. 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. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. Why? Why do you think the filmmakers linger on the shot of the smokestack at the end of this scene? The David - Soonja relationship is the central one in the story, however Jacob and Monica is also a powerful subplot. Step 3: Write instructions for any user activities. For Part 5, to read the Dialogue discussion go here. Meanwhile, grandma Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung) faces a trash fire that becomes uncontrollable. In the Minari ending, Jacob and Monica are now working together to get the farm up and running. Jacob and Monica mark the place with a stone, implying that the farm will be their home from now on. The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Understand the influences of organizations and systems of behavior. She brings with her the old countrys values and beliefs and rejects the perpetual fear that her daughter and Jacob feel about Davids health. It can be medicine if you are sick. When Monica asks Jacob which family the move was really for, what does she mean? 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. Since the diagnosis, the distraught parents have consciously provided David with a sheltered existence. They eventually give up and Monica breaks down as they watch the barn burn. I hope to see you in the RESPONSE section about this weeks script: Minari. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. But when the fire turns into a raging inferno, they must decide what is most important to them and leave the rest. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Yet Minari is, in many ways, an optimistic movie about the American immigrant dream. Written by: Lee Isaac Chung. 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. Perhaps this is one of those situations where we think of them as Attractors - obviously David has an emotional connection to Jacob and Monica - and in those moments where the parents are arguing or angry with him or working angles with him to get him to see either of them as his favorite - as "mask" moments. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Clip #1: Jacob explains how the male chicks are "discarded," and that means it's important to be useful. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? Specifically how our choices are influenced by our character traits, values, and virtues. (1:23:41-1:24:58), Clip #14: Jacob takes his box of produce to the appointment with the doctor, which upsets Monica. Directly to your inbox. Monica sends the children away and Jacob and her have a passionate confrontation. Monica still wants to leave Jacob, and then all the produce is destroyed. You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. Thank you for signing up to CinemaBlend. What are Jacob's priorities? Screenplay written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. I suppose, too, the tiny subplot of the minari plants echoes this theme, how Soon-ja plants the seeds and despite everything that goes on, they grow in their spot by the river. Lets deep dive into the Minari ending. Why does the movie end with Jacob commenting on the minari, and why is it the title of the movie? Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. At the end of Minari, the family is struggling financially and now have no product because their barn burned down, but this fire has basically regenerated the family. 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. Students will also reflect on howtheir ownsense of identity has developed within their family and community-- including the impacts of culture and ancestry. Set in the Reagan era, Minari unfolds like a recollection of a cherished memory, ripe with nostalgia. When asked about it, Chung mentioned the biblical idea of two destructions, first with the flood and then with fire. My "Minari": On Asian American Immigrant Cinema, LA Review of Books, February 10, 2021 by Hanna Amaris Roh. Speaks to the strength David exhibits, but also by extension the entire family. The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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? When the kids on the bus make fun of Paul because he doesn't have water at his house, David realizes that's true about his family, too. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. For Part 3, to read the Character discussion, go here. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. Warning! Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? Its funny how even the Hollywood Foreign Press Association thinks American stories are told only in English. The Oscars have a long history of diversity issues, including that they were dominated by white men. Do you think this is a positive or negative thing? Minari is a tender account of hope deferred, of the limits of paradise, and of finding the strength to carry on. How does Cather bring the novel full circle, mirroring Jim's observation, "What a little circle man's experience is"? I only noticed how prevalent fire and, especially, water are in Minari because of the brilliant Bong-Joon-ho pointing it out in his interview with Lee Isaac Chung for Variety. As professor of ethnic studies, I teach a class on Asian American literature and film. Uh, You Havent Seen Austin Butlers Elvis Yet?! The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. Paul feels like a Mentor figure. When the Yi family arrives, Jacob rushes to the barn to try to stop it, then he tries to save some of his produce. Both individually and collectively, they find friends as well, most prominent of whom is the town eccentric Paul (Will Patton), who is the very embodiment of the profound faith that resonates in that part of the country. 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. Dan M. Jack K. Jean H; 8 attendees "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. This affects his productivity at the local hatchery, where both he and Monica work. 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. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? In her last scene, Soon-ja sits wide awake, watching the Yis sleep on the floor together. If you haven't seen Minari yet, queue this one for your next movie night. When she's not putting on a spontaneous vaudeville show with her daughter, Christine loves nature,music, and almost any form of dark chocolate. In March 2021, Minari earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, and star Steven Yeun and Korean film legend Youn Yuh-jung both earned acting nominations. David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. A grandmother and her medical issues. 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