"Minari" has been described by most critics as "a film without great pretensions" which, paradoxically, will make it its strength. He lets himself be seen, in all simplicity, as a memory seen through the eyes of a child. It is about family, mutual aid, the desire to integrate and be reborn. Travel to wide open spaces that is worth seeing.
History
A Korean-American family moves to a small farm in Arkansas, in search of the American dream. The father dreams of having his own Korean vegetable production and for this purpose, he spends all his energy and savings in a field that turns out to be uncooperative. Nevertheless, overwhelmed by work, they decide to bring in Soon-ja, the maternal grandmother. Little David, sick of the heart, sees this old woman arrive in his life with a culture and habits of a country he does not know. Director and screenplay: Lee Isaac Chung Country of origin United States Genre: Drama Duration: 115 minutes Release 2020 Main actors Steven Yeun Han Ye-ri Alan Kim Noel Kate Cho Youn Yuh-jung 
Critical
Jaunt? Chronic? Director Lee Isaac Chung's memories are tinged with a nostalgic look at a time of his childhood. Large spaces, clear, luminous images. Nature in all its glory.And all this amplitude gives oxygen to the harsh reality of his parents. Without falling into the melodrama too pushed, the characters evolve in this American dream that can quickly turn into a nightmare. An aftertaste of "the grapes of wrath " without the anguish succeeding in erasing the innocence and the vision of the world of this little boy. Of course, with a very strong influence of American filmmaker John Ford, the film could have turned into a ruthless quest, in the desperation that only failure can engender. But these Korean pioneers go through with dignity the trials, the vagaries of their situation. Like the Minari plant (Water Celery), they have the ability to develop, to grow, in any soil. This is the masterstroke of the director. His ability not to give more importance to one subject or another and to keep us in an atmosphere where the characters are as grandiose as the landscapes. Modest film? We would rather say honest film. Unpretentious? It is precisely his humility that makes him enormous.
Actors
Steven Yeun has come a long way since he had his skull smashed by Negan the psychopath (charismatic, canon, but the real son of…). If this scene traumatized all the followers of The walking dead, we have since that day, all our time to find him alive in films praised by critics and loved by the public. He has since become this actor whose film you watch just because he is in the cast. From the amazing "I origins", a science fiction film where his character lists the irises of all human beings, to "Okja", a small role in the ecological film of the great Bong Joon-ho (Parasite). Not to mention "Burning", of course. This American of South Korean origin shows us, confirms us, how much he knows how to blend in with his character. The becoming. Would the atmosphere of Burning have been as heavy and impalpable if Steven Yeun, and Yo ah in had not carried the project? Disturbing, with his misguided smile, his confidence. His way of hitting the incruste, crushing everything that could be put in front of him… It is difficult to identify him with the discouraged father of "Minari", to think that it is the same actor. His delicacy, his humility, his gaze that is lost in the vast landscape he dreams of taming. His hopes, his despair, that bar too high. His vital need to recognize himself as father and husband above all constraints. This role, performed as if it had been written especially for him, earned him the nomination for Best Actor at the Oscars. The newspapers liked to recall that it was the first Asian American who was nominated for an Oscar. But as the two of the "Muppet Show" would say, " Who cares? ». What matters is that he is a good actor who has shown us a significant evolution in a very short time. As for Ms. Youn Yuh-jung, she surprises again and again. An actress capable of disappearing behind her character. We rediscover it every time: Oh yes! This is the lady who played in the film… How to associate the fragile grandmother of "Canola" with the strong and determined mother of "Keys To The Heart"?Or the bitch of "The Housemaid " with the prostitute of the elderly, jaded and overwhelmed of " The Bacchus Lady"? 
Not to mention the rape scene of " The Taste of Money ", abuse of power on his trusted man, 40 years his junior and played by Kim Kang-Woo (very sexy, but still!) … How can we compare this ugly black spider with little David's grandmother? Fragile and strong at the same time. Adorable, despite a very raw way of expressing herself, and overflowing with this knowledge of her country of origin. This role of grandmother from another planet earned her, not only the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but also that Wikipedia awards her "Minari" as "known films". If we know her, if we have seen most of her films, this little label " Known films: Minari " below her photo will make us smile. Or bang our heads against a wall. It's up to us. Did she have to be in front of American cameras for her to be known to the world? For you, film enthusiasts, it is impossible that an actress at the height of Elizabeth Taylor or Audrey Hepburn has passed under your nose. If this is the case, we invite you to fill this gap very quickly, you will only be greatly surprised by its presence and performance. 
Han Ye-ri brings a touch to Minari that could almost be described as a caress. She is the beauty of the great outdoors. She is also the mother who cannot let go, who worries. And who watches her husband sink, her mother fall ill, all their hopes go up in smoke. But the charisma of the actress, the tenderness with which she interprets her role, mark us by her benevolence. And, rather than making us cry, it will make us want to accompany him. To put our hand on his shoulder. And of course, to finish a big salute to the performance of the children.
Academy Awards
Like his character in 'Minari', Youn Yuh-jung doesn't seem to be someone who minces his words. As proof, in an interview, Lee Isaac Chung spoke about the controversy of the Golden Globes, where "Minari" was nominated in the category "Foreign Language Film" despite its American cast and its American writer/director. " It's very tiring for many of us to be called foreigners, even though we were born here and speak English. This element becomes exhausting" During her speech at the Oscars, Youn Yuh-jung said that she did not believe in competitions. "How can I win against Glenn Close? We've all played different roles in different movies. How can we compete with each other? If I'm here it's because I've had a little luckier. I'm luckier than you (Laughter from the audience). Maybe it's American hospitality toward Koreans?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifGIAQz9rtk is she referring to the new Oscar rules that will come into effect in 2024? " Here are the conditions for the film to be eligible.
- One of the main or important secondary actors must belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
- 30% of the overall cast must be from an underrepresented social group (female, LGBTQ, underrepresented racial or ethnic group, or people with cognitive or physical disabilities)
- That the script focuses on an underrepresented group. Behind the screen, the film must allow access to training or welcome more women or people of color to its teams." (Source) .
Did she say out loud what everyone was thinking out loud? Obviously, the same question would be asked: Did I receive the Oscar because of my performance or simply to show the world how racist Americans are? She ends by saying she's not sure. Neither does anyone who is wise. As usual, Asian cinema gives the impression that nothing is happening. That we are in the contemplative. Or in déjà vu, or in a world that, by its codes, does not reach us. But, be careful, the depth of this film, its phenomenal sincerity, can only conquer you even if it is without your knowledge.
Rewards
Sundance Film Festival 2020: Grand Jury Prize Audience Award Golden Globes 2021: Best Foreign Language Film Oscars 2021: Best Supporting Actress for Youn Yuh-jung
Appointments
2021 Oscars: Best Picture Best Director Best Actor for Steven Yeun Best Original Screenplay Best Film Music
