Hello lovely readers, today we are going to dive into the inspiring story of a film that went from being a small indie darling to becoming an Oscar nominee. This movie has captured everyone’s attention and is the dark horse to win big on the awards night. Are you excited to know more? Let’s begin. 🎬

The Plot That Stole Our Hearts 💖

This year’s dark horse is the captivating indie film, ‘Minari’. The movie tells the story of a Korean-American family who moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm in the 1980s. It’s a beautiful and heartwarming story about the American Dream, family values, and the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land. The movie is lead by an amazing cast of actors, including Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, and Youn Yuh-jung. The film’s writer and director, Lee Isaac Chung, based the story on his own childhood experiences growing up in Arkansas. 🌾

A still of the family standing next to their farm

The Journey from Indie to Oscar 🌟

‘Indie darling’ is a term used to describe films that are produced independently of major studios and have a limited release before gaining critical acclaim. ‘Minari’ is the perfect example of this. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film went on to win the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the festival, which sparked a bidding war for distribution rights.

In the end, A24 and Plan B Entertainment acquired the rights to distribute ‘Minari’ in the United States. However, due to the pandemic, the movie’s release was postponed until February 12, 2021. Despite its limited release, the film’s word of mouth buzz and critical acclaim helped to build a wider audience for the movie, and it continued to grow in popularity as more and more people watched it. It’s the perfect example of how a great film can attract people through quality rather than through marketing. 🎥

A still of Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah with people gathered around

The Nominations That Made History 📜

This year, ‘Minari’ has been nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Score. It is the only film this year to be nominated in all of the big categories. Also, Steven Yeun became the first Asian-American actor to be nominated for Best Actor in the 93-year history of the awards. Youn Yuh-jung received a nod for Best Supporting Actress and is the first Korean actor to be nominated for an Oscar. These nominations are a testament to the extraordinary talent of the cast and crew of the film. 🎉

A collage of 'Minari' posters, announcing its nominations

Why You Need to Watch This Movie ASAP 💯

If you haven’t watched ‘Minari’ yet, then you’re missing out on an incredibly moving and inspiring film that deserves all the accolades it has received. The story, acting, and cinematography are all top-notch, making it a must-watch for any film lover. But beyond that, the movie’s themes of immigration, family, and the American Dream resonate deeply with audiences in today’s world. It’s a film that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling uplifted and hopeful. So don’t miss your chance to watch this critically acclaimed masterpiece. Trust us; it’s worth it. 🍿

A still of Steven Yeun and Alan Kim from the movie

I hope you enjoyed learning about this year’s dark horse, ‘Minari’, and the inspiring journey it took to become an Oscar nominee. Remember to support independent films, and don’t forget to watch ‘Minari,’ ASAP. 🚀