You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. As kids, what do moments like this mean about our understanding of the world and how it works? It is hard not to crave the diversity of Asian American life. 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. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? "water celery") is a 2020 American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. 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. Isnt it possible to have many Asian American stories? 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. Download. Recognize situational demands and opportunities. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). He becomes her companion as she explores the nooks and crannies of the property. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. (7:56-9:40), Clip #2: A thunderstorm is in full swing, and everyone's scared. (1:05:33-1:10:00), Clip #12: Soonja has a stroke. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. In Minari, writer-director Lee Isaac Chung (Munyurangabo) documents a South Korean immigrant familys pursuit of happiness in rural Arkansas. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). Life in Arkansas is far from what Jacob and his wife Monica (Yeri Han) hoped. (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. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. But as the film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two. Our daily schedule: Monday: Scene-By-Scene BreakdownTuesday: PlotWednesday: CharactersThursday: ThemesFriday: DialogueSaturday: Takeaways. Is Soonja what you expected? Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. The farm is located an hour away from the nearest hospital, and Monica believes that they are putting their sons life in constant danger by staying there. Soon-ja repeatedly tells her daughter to let David be a normal child. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? But to your point, Laura, three members of the family -- Jacob, Monica, and Soonja -- have pivotal roles. Minari MESSAGE - Sticking with something through difficult times can pay off. "Minari" 's style is a disheartening example of the gravitational pull that such conventions exert on the cinema at large. Can you identify a choice the filmmakers made about music, camera angles, etc. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here. Minari Screenplay Book. 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? He has spent a decade as a sexer and strives to find something more rewarding to do than that job. "Wonderful, wonderful!" The dual-language Minari Screenplay Book features Korean translations of all texts alongside the original English. Heres how it works. Though she's not avery dynamiccharacter, she plays a huge role in holding everything together. Monica sends the children away and Jacob and her have a passionate confrontation. Identify their personal, cultural, and linguistic assets. The film also has many instances where water causes destruction for the Yi family. Overall, this is very simple plot. #1: Define goals, research questions and hypotheses with stakeholders. Of course, you could also use some combination of the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class's needs. But we see, at the end, he is going to try again. and our The growing minari also symbolizes hope for the Yi family to thrive in the future. Despite one challenge after another which pushes Jacob and Monica's relationship to the brink of dissolution, they persist. Why? It feels so authentic and deeply personal, but also universal in a way that many can see themselves and their family in one or all of these characters. 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. The mother, Monica (Yeri Han), would rather be in California. Reading scripts. Why do you think so? 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. It feels like one of those stories where character archetypes may be of some value in analyzing the story, but not of central importance. (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. A boy and *his* medical issues. What unies the narrative? Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. How to Watch All Quiet on the Western Front. Anticipate and evaluate the consequences of theiractions. ONLINE MEETING INFO: Join us for a discussion of Minari and Asian American representation! Jacob (Steven Yeun) moves his family from a comfortable life in California to a small town in Arkansas. If you only have a single class period, showing just a few key clips below might be perfect. * The fire: A major reversal, indeed, the destruction of what Jacob had worked so hard to build, the barn a symbol of what the farm *could* be. 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? Who's right? (4/5 stars) Directed by: Lee Isaac Chung. 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. Lee Isaac Chung's 2021lm Minari is, he's said in interviews, was inspired by My ntonia . Exhibit self-discipline and self-motivation. MINARI. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. It's accessible to 9th graders but can also sparkmore nuanced conversations for 12 graders. Follow More from Medium Bryan Ye in. Chung based the film on what he remembers . The plot changes gears following the introduction of Monicas mother Soon-ja and her limitless optimism. Why does Jacob mention that he's the eldest son? Integrate their personal and social identities. Do you agree with her? 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. Yeri Han, Noel Kate Cho, Steven Yeun, and Alan S. Kim, from the cast of "Minari." Photo: A24. Minari DRAMA A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Table of Contents Simulating Student Interest Focusing on Empathic Reactions Characterization Plot Themes, Messages & Ideas Other Literary Elements Theatrical Devices and Effects Help students reflect on what motivates who we become and how we grow. This was early December, and we were supposed to talk about Yeun's latest starring role, in "Minari," a film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung about a Korean immigrant family that takes up. David expects his grandmother to be able to bake cookies. Apr 22, 2021, 7:22 AM. I guessed Lee Isaac Chung's Minari would be different to me from just about any other film I'd seen from how, even those two minutes, evoked my own memories in a . Judging from the script, I'd say David is the Protagonist as the story is told through his perspective. 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. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? 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. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? SPOILERS AHEAD. Charming, limpid, and earnest, it's both a familiar tale and a wholly new one.. Show a few specific clips along with discussion questions. that made it especially memorable? What are the challenges of maintaining a culture while being a part of another one? The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. You can use all of the questions and activities or pick and choose, depending on how much time you have. Jacob explains that the male chicks are discarded, so it's important to be useful. The dramatic elements of "Minari" make it a powerful film. David leads dad down to the creek. 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. When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. Grandma sees David as an American kid and Monica asserts that he's a Korean kid. Complex characters. Minor spoilers ahead for Minari.. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. What scene, and why does it stick out in your mind? While Jacob, Monica, and the children are heading to the car, Jacob gleefully talks about how this deal came at the best time. The Times is committed . Recognize situational demands and opportunities. How do our roles in a family sometimes create expectations for us? The discussion guide and lesson below will help students consider how and why characters in Minari act the way they do. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. She embraces her new life with a certain childlike wonder that is absent even in Jacob. 18. A new film called "Minari" is an immigrant tale rarely portrayed. (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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. But I kept thinking about how Minari is being marketed and wondered, Is this really a story about the American dream? 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. A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. Jacob sees the minari and says, It's growing well on its own." Why? What's Anne's role in the family? 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. For Part 4, to read the Themes discussion go here. Why or why not? Specifically: "It grows anywhere." Warning! Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. At the heart of the movie are questions about the choices we make for our familiesand the priorities behind them. 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. It speaks to the very human threads of hope, struggles, and perseverance. Beyond the tornado, why is she angry? Minari is a leafy green vegetable ( sometimes called water celery or water dropwort) popular in Korean cooking. that made it especially memorable? Yes. This is *exactly* the kind of movie I like. On the church bus, kids joke about Paul not having water. Today you noticed your phone was acting kind of weird so you open up this app to see what . 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. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. This movie is set in the '80s. 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. 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. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? They frame the overall domain of insights you hope to uncover. What are Monica's? What do you think is the significance of Jacob hiring a dowser? 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. Community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you 'll address these, if necessary combination! 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Course, you could also use some combination of the Empire and before the emergence of the property your judgement! Something through difficult times can pay off really change what 's happening reflection of,. Film progresses, a poignant bond develops between the two Jacob explains that her mom has other... Despite one challenge after another which pushes Jacob and her have a passionate confrontation and Asian American stories way do..., Laura, three members of the First Order, Anne asks David if he wants to with.