Last Updated on May 21, 2021 by themigrationnews
‘Minari’ is a movie directed by Lee Isaac Chung featuring Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica Yi (Yeri Han) as a couple having two children David (Alan S. Kim) and Anne (Noel Cho). The movie unfolds the life of a Korean-American family who moved to rural Arkansans town to fulfill their long-awaited aspired dream. It describes how Korean immigrants are constantly searching for their cultural identity while living in the US.
The entire story of the movie has been weaved deftly. Learning from his occupational experience, Jacob gives life advice to his child David that “male chicks don’t taste good. They can’t lay eggs and have no use. So, you and I should try to be useful”. It shows how immigrants are compelled by circumstances to see themselves through a narrower perspective of utility. It might be due to the uncertain fear of survival and recognition in ‘foreign’ land. It also shows how parents often impose their own lived experience (considering it as wisdom) on their children.
Nostalgia and Stereotypes
The arrival of David’s maternal grandmother (Yuh-Jung Youn) in the family makes the movie more interesting with her impeccable performance. Her arrival evokes mixed responses from the family members. Monica is filled with nostalgic emotions when she finds that her mother has brought Korean spices for her. For David, Grandmother does not fit into the category of ‘typical grandmother’ as she does not cook and cannot bake cookies for him! However, over time, grandma is the one who inspires David to believe in himself and his potential to overcome his heart complication.
The grandma provides a powerful message to David while she grows Minari (Korean Herb) in the wild:
“Minari is truly the best! It grows anywhere, like weeds. So, anyone can pick and eat it. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. Minari can be put in kimchi, put in stew, put in soup. It can be medicine if you are sick. Minari is wonderful! Wonderful!”
This analogy of ‘Minari’ provides a perspective that substantiates the importance of assimilation, resilience and adaptability as crucial traits for survival in the hostland, specifically for immigrants.
Vulnerability and Uncertainty
The movie is full of intense emotions and shows how immigrants often lead a life under constant pressure to balance their career ambition and maintain their family responsibility in the host land. The movie becomes realistic as it displays many moments of confrontation between the couple due to Jacob’s and Monica’s different vision of the future and lack of faith in each other’s capability. There is a class dimension also as Monica belongs to a comparatively affluent family vis-à-vis Jacob and feels disappointed to live in a tin house, which has been set up on wheels. The movie shows how much struggle one has to do in the host country to fulfill one’s dream. The movie brings forth various occasions where it is seen that both Jacob and Monica fails in understanding the emotional need of their children because of their own vulnerabilities.
Monica’s religiosity and inclination towards the Church provide the religious dimension to the viewers about immigrants’ lives, who sometimes find solace from the religious activities away from their homeland. The conversation of an American child with David hints minutely at the issue of racism while also providing a critical lesson that communication is the key to understand the distinct identity of each other as, later on, both become good friends. Many scenes provide a lively depiction of childhood experiences.
On a positive note, the movie conveys that with sheer belief in oneself, one can achieve desired success despite facing numerous obstacles on the uncertain path in the host country. Improvement of Jacob’s health due to the intake of natural herb and constant motivation of grandmother, and a good harvest of Korean vegetables on the farm provide moments of hope, which is the key to keep going irrespective of complex challenges.
The movie is highly recommended to everyone to understand the vulnerabilities usually faced by immigrants in the host country. The story is simple yet extraordinary with scenic beauty, and all characters have done justice with their roles making it worth watching. Minari not only entertains the watchers but also shows the incredible resilience of immigrants even during odd circumstances. It provides profound messages and depicts how love between the family members can turn an imperfect house into a loving home!
Abhishek Yadav is a PhD Candidate at the Centre for South Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.