This post is about “Minari”, the Beautiful Myth of Family.
“Minari” is an American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 and received widespread acclaim. The story is a semi-autobiographical take on Chung’s own upbringing and follows a South Korean immigrant family in the 1980s as they try to make a new life in rural Arkansas.
The film centers on the Yi family, with Steven Yeun playing the father, Jacob, who dreams of owning a successful farm growing Korean vegetables. Yeri Han plays his wife, Monica, who is skeptical of this new rural life and concerned about their son David’s heart condition. The family dynamics are further explored with the arrival of Monica’s mother, Soon-ja, played by Youn Yuh-jung, who forms a special bond with her grandson David, portrayed by Alan Kim.
“Minari” is named after a hardy and versatile Korean herb that the grandmother plants, symbolizing the family’s hopes and resilience. The film delicately explores themes of identity, the American Dream, family resilience, and the challenges of assimilation and cultural identity through the lens of a Korean-American family. It’s celebrated for its poignant storytelling, authentic performances, and beautifully understated direction.
Youn Yuh-jung’s performance earned her several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Korean actress to win an Oscar in this category. The film itself was lauded for its heartfelt narrative and detailed portrayal of the immigrant experience, making “Minari” a significant film in American cinema that resonates with a broad spectrum of audiences.
“Minari” Cast
- Steven Yeun as Jacob Yi: Portrays the character of Jacob Yi, the patriarch of the Yi family. Jacob moves his family from California to rural Arkansas in pursuit of the American Dream by starting a farm.
- Han Ye-ri as Monica Yi: Plays the role of Monica Yi, Jacob’s wife. Monica is initially skeptical about the move to Arkansas and struggles with the challenges of their new life.
- Alan Kim as David Yi: Alan Kim plays David Yi, the young son of Jacob and Monica. David is a key character in the film, and the story is partly seen through his perspective as the family navigates their new life.
- Noel Kate Cho as Anne Yi: Portrays Anne Yi, the daughter of Jacob and Monica. While Anne is a supporting character, she is an integral part of the Yi family dynamics.
- Youn Yuh-jung as Soon-ja: Youn Yuh-jung takes on the role of Soon-ja, the eccentric and lovable grandmother of David and Anne. Her character brings humor and warmth to the film.
- Will Patton as Paul: Will Patton plays the character Paul, a fellow farmer who befriends Jacob and becomes an ally in his farming endeavors.
- Scott Haze as Billy: Scott Haze takes on the role of Billy, a character who interacts with the Yi family in their new community in Arkansas. His role contributes to the portrayal of the challenges and relationships the family faces.
“Minari” in Cell No.7″ Plot
“Minari” follows the story of the Yi family, who immigrate to the United States, settling in Arkansas to pursue a new life by establishing a farm. Jacob (played by Steven Yeun) dreams of owning his own farm and providing a better life for his family, while Monica (played by Han Ye-ri) is concerned about their son David’s heart condition and prefers the convenience of city life.
The family faces numerous challenges in their new rural setting, including a lack of medical facilities, the vulnerability of their makeshift home to tornadoes, and frequent utility issues. Tensions rise as Jacob and Monica clash over their differing visions for the family’s future.
To alleviate some of the family’s struggles, Monica proposes bringing her mother, Soon-ja from Korea to help. Soon-ja, an unconventional grandmother, adds both humor and tension to the household dynamics.
Jacob’s dream of a successful farm seems promising at first, but setbacks arise, including water supply issues, financial strain, and the haunting legacy of the previous landowner’s tragic end. The family is forced to confront the harsh realities of rural life, with Jacob facing the difficult decision of whether to persevere or follow a path similar to the previous owner.
As Soon-ja’s health deteriorates, the family must navigate the complexities of care-giving while dealing with their own individual aspirations and conflicts. The film captures the delicate balance between pursuing dreams and the sacrifices required to sustain a family.
The narrative takes a poignant turn when the family faces a crisis, culminating in a pivotal moment that challenges their priorities. Through these challenges, the Yi family discovers the resilience within themselves and the importance of familial bonds. The film concludes with a sense of hope as the family reflects on their experiences, realizing that they have gained something more valuable than the crops they planted—a strengthened sense of family and the ability to start anew, no matter the circumstances.
“Minari” in Cell No.7″ Review
In the film “Minari,” the challenges of navigating life in a foreign land with a different language and appearance are poignantly depicted. The United States, known as a melting pot of immigrants from various nations, serves as the backdrop for this exploration of the Korean-American experience.
Jacob, who moved from California with his wife Monica, leaving behind a job as a chicken sexer to pursue a dream, finds the reality of rural Arkansas starkly different. Monica, however, is confronted with the struggles of an ailing son and an unsafe home. This dichotomy becomes a source of conflict within the family.
The introduction of Monica’s mother, Soon-ja, adds a trans-formative element to their lives. “Minari” unfolds a series of subtle events, showcasing the unique love that a Korean grandmother, different from the typical American grandmother, brings to the family.
Soon-ja silently supported the family, drawing water from the minari field when Jacob’s relentless pursuit of success left their well dry. She became a source of strength for Monica, a comforting figure for David, who resisted the unfamiliar Korean scent, and a unifying force for the entire family amid conflicts.
“Minari” emphasizes the resilience and adaptability of the minari plant, which can thrive almost anywhere. The film continually reinforces this theme, offering solace to everyone facing the immense journey of life, not just immigrants. It becomes a comforting narrative for all of us traversing the unpredictable and unknown paths of our lives.
The minari, symbolic of resilience, becomes a universal metaphor, reminding us that, regardless of our background, the challenges of life are a shared experience. “Minari” extends its comfort and wisdom to all, making it a poignant journey for everyone undergoing the vast expedition called life.
Backstories
Challenging Categorization Rules
“Minari” sparked considerable debate during the 78th Golden Globe Awards, primarily due to its unique categorization. Unlike the Academy Awards, where films can compete for both Best International Feature Film and Best Picture, the Golden Globes have a distinctive rule. Films with over 50% English dialogue are eligible for the Best Picture category, leading “Minari,” largely in Korean, to be categorized under Best Foreign Language Film.
Balancing Two Worlds in Filmmaking
Despite delving into the immigrant experience of a Korean-American family, “Minari” is a product of Plan B Entertainment, a U.S.-based film company. Directed by American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung and primarily filmed in Oklahoma, the movie showcases the pursuit of the American Dream within immigrant families, adding an intriguing layer to its categorization.
Debating Language Criteria
The film’s eligibility for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Golden Globes stirred discussions. While the storyline authentically reflects the Korean-American immigrant community, the language criterion led to its classification as a foreign language film contender. This raised broader questions about the appropriateness of categorizations and their alignment with a film’s identity and thematic focus.
Authentic Cultural Depiction in Dialogues
“Minari” authentically portrays the life of a Korean-American immigrant family, seamlessly incorporating Korean and English dialogues. This portrayal offers a genuine representation of the cultural and linguistic dynamics within immigrant communities. The director, Lee Isaac Chung, drew on personal experiences, including incidents from his childhood involving his grandmother and a minari field.
Contrasting with “Parasite” Recognition
Comparisons with “Parasite,” another film recognized at major awards ceremonies, are inevitable. While “Parasite” was unequivocally a South Korean film, “Minari” blurs the lines as an American production with significant Korean language content. This distinction emphasizes the intricacies of categorizing movies that reflect the diverse experiences of immigrant communities within the United States.
