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Minari (2020)

One film that has received unanimous praise is Lee Isaac Chung’s beautiful drama, Minari. Starring Steven Yeun as Jacob, the patriarch of the Yi family who have immigrated to America from Korea. Having previously lived in California with wife, Monica (Han Ye-ri), daughter, Anne (Noel Kate Cho) and son, David (Alan Kim), the family moves to rural Arkansas where Jacob hopes to build a farm full of Korean fruit and vegetables for vendors in Dallas. Having to balance his dream to be a successful farmer with the dramas of family life, especially the arrival of his mother-in-law, Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung) and the family’s identity as Koreans living in America. Nominated for six Academy Awards and winning one for Best Supporting Actress for Youn Yuh-jung’s stunning performance, Minari landed on many critic’s best film list and it’s easy to see why. 

What Minari does so well is capture that struggle of the American Dream. The Yi family literally and figuratively want to own their small slice of paradise and Steven’s relentless pursuit and determination allows us to see the ups and downs of the struggle. Coinciding with the additional subject of the family being Korean immigrants, there are undertones of racism in the exchanges that they have with their local, predominantly white, church, especially where the children who don’t fully understand are concerned. We see the film through both adult and children’s eyes and are able to get a fully rounded view of the experience. Chung’s screenplay feels deeply personal and it is clear in his direction that this is a subject that he is extremely passionate about. The merging of American and Korean culture is mixed together to create this wonderful film that shows appreciation for the little things in life rather than aiming for the stars. 

Since leaving TV’s The Walking Dead, it’s been great to see Yeun starring in lots of interesting films, including Sorry to Both You. However, his performance in Minari has cemented him as a truly Hollywood leading man. Jacob is a deeply flawed character, often putting his American dream before his wife and children’s needs but he does have his family’s interests at heart. Yeun is perfectly cast as Jacob in what is his most dramatic and challenging role to date. Feeling the weight of the family on his shoulders, Jacob works tirelessly to provide for his family as well as securing their future prospects as well. What Yeun does so well is show the resilience of the character as well as that quick change as he shares precious moments with his children, especially David. Well deserving of his Oscar nomination, Yeun has already shown us his ability to act in a variety of genres and mediums showcasing a huge emotional range and it feels as though his performance in Minari is a fine combination of him performing at his very best.

In support, Youn Yuh-jung brings an Oscar winning performance as Soon-ja, the family grandma in what can only be described as a wonderful turn. Youn has been an established name in Korea where she has pulled off decades of phenomenal performances after the other. It’s great to see that success thrust into the global spotlight and even better that the film industry has bestowed her with a slew of major awards. Soon-ja is a character who soon glues the family together, causing friction initially, especially with David as he doesn’t want to embrace his Korean heritage. However, the two soon share an inseparable bond and it is an absolute delight to watch. Soon-ja comes into the film a little while in so we are able to see how her arrival completely shifts the family dynamic. 

One aspect of the film that has been getting a lot of attention is the score, composed by Emile Mosseri which was well deserving of the praise and award nominations it received. Bringing a calmness to the film, the score is delicate and classical in sound whilst also managing not to deter from the action happening on screen. Mosseri’s piano based music feels melancholy at times, especially during scenes in which it seems that Jacob’s dream is out of his hands but there are also moments when it feels like the catalyst for bonding such as the moment when Soon-ja shows David where to grow the minari. 

Overall, Minari is one of the most fulfilling films to come out of this awards season. Whether you’re admiring Chung’s impeccable screenplay and direction or blown away by the stellar performances from the cast, Minari is guaranteed to exceed your expectations. It may not have the bells and whistles that other films have but its humility and minimalism allows the characterisation to take centre stage and is sure to leave you stunned and captivated long after the credits roll. A truly stunning achievement and hopefully marks even more incredible films in the pipeline for Chung. 

What did you think of Minari? Let me know in the comments below!

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London Film Festival 2020: Farewell Amor

Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, and Jayme Lawson appear in Farewell Amor by Ekwa Msangi, an official selection of the U.S. Dramatic Competition program at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Bruce Francis Cole. All photos are copyrighted and may be used by press only for the purpose of news or editorial coverage of Sundance Institute programs. Photos must be accompanied by a credit to the photographer and/or 'Courtesy of Sundance Institute.' Unauthorized use, alteration, reproduction or sale of logos and/or photos is strictly prohibited.

The next film that I viewed was Ekwa Msangi’s Farewell Amor. Written and directed by Msangi, Farewell Amor is a 101 minute drama following an Angolan family who are reunited in New York City after seventeen years apart. Walter (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) has been working as a taxi driver in New York and living in a one bedroom flat in Brooklyn. The opening of the film sees his reunion with wife, Esther (Zainab Jah) and daughter, Sylvia (Jayme Lawson) before the film splits each act to follow each character. As suspected, the relationship between husband and wife and father and daughter is strained and in the case of the latter, Walter and Sylvia seem to be complete strangers.

Msangi’s script acts as an outline to showing the immigrant experience in America and the richness of African and African-American culture within New York. With each segment, Msangi paints the picture of these three characters and how dance brings them together. The Angolan culture is transferred over and felt despite the film solely taking place in New York. There is also an undercurrent of religious conflict as Walter’s religious distance is clear as he is uncomfortable at Esther’s insistence of worship. This starts with a simple prayer at meal time but becomes clear at Walter’s dislike of the religious ornaments and going to Church. The distance between Walter and Esther is clear as the former has clearly changed since living in America.

Mwine’s lead performance as Walter is filled with conflict as he faces his new life with Esther and Sylvia while mourning the loss of his relationship with nurse Linda. Walter’s mistakes and unfaithfulness bubble to the surface and provide the tension throughout the film but he isn’t necessarily a villain. Even when drawn to Linda at a club, he thanks her for rejecting him because he knows it’s the wrong thing. Whereas his wife was completely faithful to him all these years, Walter’s unfaithfulness sprouts from the uncertainty that he would see his family again. His relationship with Esther only spanned a short while and took place during the Angolan Civil War in which Esther fell pregnant with Sylvia. Msangi doesn’t want the audience to view Walter as a completely terrible character but one who has faced peculiar circumstance and he eventually learns through the film that he needs to get to know his family all over again.

The second segment follows Sylvia. Jayme Lawson’s performance as the quiet teen is filled with ambition as she strives to use the opportunity she has in America to dance. Discouraged by her mother and encouraged by her father, Sylvia longs to break free of her mother’s strict lifestyle. The first act sees Sylvia giving one word responses but as she practices her dancing, she grows more vocal and confident in herself. Dance is used as the common denominator between her and her father. As her relationship with him seems to grow, Esther becomes more ostracised and cannot handle the American lifestyle. Sylvia doesn’t like her new home initially but grows to it with the help of DJ, a boy from her school who encourages her to join a dance group for a competition. From there she begins to find herself and adjusts to her new life.

The last segment looks at Esther’s experience. Zainab Jah does a fantastic job of balancing the strictly religious Esther and her fear of being in a new country. Up until this segment, her insecurities have been brewing and we see it reach the boiling point as Walter’s affair comes to light. What Jah does so brilliantly in her performance is show us the slow deterioration of Esther’s strength and confidence. Living with Walter was all Esther wanted but the American Dream wasn’t all it lived up to be. They live in a tiny apartment and barely scrape by with Walter working long hours. These little details build up inside Esther until she can’t handle it anymore.

The result of Farewell Amor is an amazingly structured film that shows the contrast between cultures and how the two can be merged together. The family unit is fragmented but by embracing the American culture, they are able to come together to show their love for Angola. It’s a beautiful and subtle film highlighting the power of the arts and expression and one that I think will resonate with a lot of viewers.

Farewell Amor is showing at London Film Festival on 9th October. You can purchase tickets on the BFI website.

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It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

The one film that is brought up time and time again during Christmas time and globally known as the Christmas film to watch. Following community hero, George Bailey (James Stewart) during his highs and lows in life, we see him in the lowest moment and guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him what Bedford Falls would be like if Bailey was never born. Directed by Frank Capra, it’s a classic tale about the loved ones you have around you and the love you have for them in return. We follow George falling in love with the beautiful Mary (Donna Reed) which is sparked in one of my favourite scenes in film history as they sing “Buffalo Gals” and talk about lassoing the moon. So what is it about this film that makes it so well loved?

For starters, the feel-good nature of the film is perfect for family viewings, especially around Christmas time. Another appeal is the film’s fearlessness in exploring darker themes such as capitalism, the loss of the American Dream and death by suicide. George Bailey isn’t portrayed as more than the ordinary American man. He is a character of high moral character and this makes his fall from grace even harder to stomach. James Stewart is remarkable as Bailey in what has become the definitive Stewart performance. Albeit a bit awkward when portraying a younger Bailey as he looks so much older but he pulls it off because Bailey himself is a man who is older than his years. Bailey hasn’t been blessed with an easy life as he loses his father at a young age and is forced to take over his father’s business instead of travelling but he takes to it and thrives. His wife, Mary (Donna Reed) does well to keep him grounded and motivated. She has her own strength as she is unafraid to stand up for what she believes in. Mary isn’t as straightforward as the audience would believe. She has a complexity about her when she disappoints her mother by marrying George rather than the successful Sam Wainwright (Frank Albertson) or when she has to deal with remaining in Bedford Falls as George gives their Honeymoon funds away to avoid the bank’s closure. There is a lot of pressure on Mary to support both her husband and the family home, especially in the midst of a crisis. Even when George is angry, she refuses to let him get away with it while at the same time remaining composed and compassionate.

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Onto the sidekick side of things, Henry Travers captures Clarence’s purity perfectly. From his fascination with the stories of Mark Twain to his inability to mask his angel status, Clarence is a beloved character in film. In a community where George is seen as a guiding light, it is only Clarence that can save him from himself. Clarence is completely sympathetic and importantly empathetic with George’s problems. The audience watches the life of George Bailey through the eyes (literally and figuratively) of Clarence. With every classic hero there has to be a villain. This comes in the form of Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) who owns nearly every business in town as well as a large portion of property, meaning that he owns its residents also. He is a depiction of the greed and capitalism that prevents the American Dream and leaves those who long for it struggling for the rest of their lives. He is a miserable old man with no family and friend and is only surrounded by his employees. Where George sees friends, Potter sees customers.

There is something nostalgic about watching this film. Not simply from watching it a thousand times since I was small, but something distant about the simple way of living in Bedford Falls. At its heart, It’s a Wonderful Life is in itself a simple film but it is only made complex when those who dare to dream almost thrive and are then shot down. The lovely touch of including Clarence, an angel who has yet to earn his wings, brings in a bit of magic while Capra’s clever direction keeps the magic to a minimum in a bid to make the film as real as it can be. In some ways, his vision of Potter is reminiscent of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol before he is visited by ghosts. It’s just as beautiful in black and white as well as colour, it will always leave you in tears of laughter and sadness.

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What It’s a Wonderful Life does so well is its neutrality in portraying the ordinary American life but showing the extraordinary achievements that a community can make together. It’s a film about the importance of family, being loved and loving others. There are many aspects from the film that could be brought through to today such as Potter’s ideals. It could be argued that most people live in Pottersville in this day and age. In a time of great challenge, it is nice to watch a film that shows people overcoming the odds. It’s a film that can never date because its a film about humanity and the chasing of dreams. I would forever argue that this is the best Christmas film because there is no grandeur in it and no attempt to be a big shot and big budget superstar film. It is a humble story of how one man’s life touches that of his family, friends and the community at large. George is a small piece of a much larger puzzle and it is only when he realises his own self-worth that he recognises the ability to pull the community together to stop Potter from destroying the town with greed.

What do you think about It’s a Wonderful Life? Let me know in the comments below!