[Exclusive·Limelight] 'Amageddon' Earth Savior Comforts Immigrant Souls

Exclusive Interview with Will Patton, Playing Paul in the Film 'Minari'
Portrays a Typical Protestant Believer Who Avoids Alcohol and Smoking and Wears a Cross
"Collaborated Openly with Director Lee Isaac Chung to Study Every Scene Together"
"Jacob and Monica's Conflict Feels Like a Burning Soul... I Hope Many People Witness It"

Movie 'Minari' still cut

In the film Minari, Paul symbolizes the end of the American Dream. He is a typical Protestant believer, working hard and pursuing ascetic happiness. He believes that maintaining a strict attitude toward life is necessary for salvation. He avoids alcohol and cigarettes, wears a cross every Sunday, and repents. In reality, he is just a small-scale farmer, even mocked by the neighborhood children.

This sad situation gains universality through the neat appearance of Will Patton (67). He is the actor who delivered a deep resonance with his role in Armageddon (1998), where he saved the Earth and embraced his son tightly. He has shown an infinite range in many works such as The Postman (1997), Entrapment (1999), and Remember the Titans (2000). Each time, he naturally immersed himself in the role and created a new face.

In Minari, Paul is like a pillar for the couple Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Han Ye-ri). At Monica’s request, he performs an exorcism ritual in front of Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung), who has collapsed from a stroke. Although Jacob disapproves, he eventually follows Paul’s advice to use dowsing to find water for farming, as there is no better alternative. The minari, which grows well on its own, metaphorically represents the reality of struggling American working-class families. To such a family, Paul habitually says, “Everything will be fine.”

Movie 'Armageddon' still cut

- Paul is not ordinary. It seems you put a lot of effort into giving him credibility.

“In the 1980s, there were quite a few similar people on the fringes of America. Director Lee Isaac Chung also said he based the character on someone his family knew. He shared many stories. I added characteristics of two diligent and kind rural people I know to develop the role.”

- Paul is diligent and sincere but lives a life at the bottom. It seemed like a reflection of the current state of the Protestant work ethic, which was the foundation of the American Dream.

“It’s difficult to say what the lower class in America thought back then or how they accept today’s reality. There are many people in the world who don’t appear in history books. They experience many changes and live lives beyond my imagination. Paul can be seen as someone practicing moral self-justification. Actually, I didn’t consider that much. Rather, I set it up that he has past issues to resolve. So I focused a lot on expressing a humble and sincere attitude. Someday, I will share my interpretation of Paul.”

Movie 'Minari' Still Cut

- I heard Director Chung reflected the actors’ opinions a lot during the directing process…

“Director Chung never hides anything in conversations. He studies every scene together with an open mind. Of course, there were scenes I created through improvisation. It wasn’t a snap judgment. I always exchanged opinions with Director Chung first. Our time working together also laid the foundation.”

- You first met Director Chung through Abigail (2012)…

“I was introduced through actress Amanda Plummer. We got along well from the first meeting because our tastes and thoughts were similar. Director Chung is a rare personality. He is kinder and more generous than anyone, but becomes strict once film production starts. Sometimes he doesn’t compromise. He provides a good working environment and works delicately. In Hollywood, directors with both sides are rarer than expected.”

- You reunited after 8 years with Minari…

“I had a good impression from Abigail. I wanted to work with him again. Then he sent me the script. I was deeply moved by the beautiful story. I was sure any actor reading it would readily participate. Although the role of Paul was not easy to approach, I didn’t hesitate.”

Movie 'Minari' still cut

- Minari shares some points with your previous works like Wendy and Lucy (2008) and American Honey (2016). Although the presence of family differs, the journey to find hope is mixed with loneliness, despair, and anxiety.

“There are two more common points. Directors Kelly Reichardt and Andrea Arnold are as wonderful as Director Chung. Their scripts are so well written that they could be considered literary works.”

- Which scene in this film impressed you the most?

“The scene where Jacob and Monica argue in the parking lot and face a crisis of collapse. You can feel desire and longing in the eyes of the two actors. It was as if their souls and emotions were burning. I hope many people will witness it.”