Minari

Lee Isaac Chung's 2021 film follows a Korean family who move to Arkansas. The father wants to build his own farm. The grandmother arrives from Korea. The film does not tie its immigrant story to large events; the narrative makes daily hardship and tension inside the family its real subject. It draws on the director's own childhood. Youn Yuh-jung won an Academy Award in a supporting role. Placing the film in a foreign language category at awards shows was argued over. Who it's for: those who like quiet family drama. Who it's not for: viewers expecting movement in the plot; the film is built on observation.