TIFF: Minari (2019)

Description: A tender and sweeping story about what roots us, Minari follows a Korean-American family who move to a tiny farm in search of their own American dream.

Originally from South Korea, Jacob and Monica Yi (the superb Steven Yeun and Han Ye-ri) have just relocated from California to rural Arkansas along with their children, preteen Anne (Noel Kate Cho) and young David (Alan Kim), in pursuit of Jacob’s plan to work a tough plot of land and sell the produce to a buyer in Texas. Meanwhile, Jacob and a doubtful Monica — who’d rather be back in California — both work to support this venture with jobs at a local hatchery. The family’s home changes with the arrival of Monica’s sly, foul-mouthed, but very loving mother (Youn Yuh-jung). Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari shows the undeniable resilience of family and what truly makes a home.

The fourth feature from Lee Isaac Chung (Munyurangabo), Minari is a film the writer-director always wanted to make: a deeply personal, immersive journey into reconciling two worlds, with boundless affection for both. The film won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the US Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2020.

Winner, Actress in a Supporting Role (Youn Yuh-jung), 2021 Academy Awards

Nominee, 2021 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role (Steven Yeun), Directing (Lee Isaac Chung), Original Screenplay, Original Score