The United States has been known as a melting pot of cultures for over a century. It’s always heartwarming to think about the American Dream, or the number of people who came here (and continue to come here) from all over the world to create a new life for themselves and their families.
However, some immigrant stories aren’t so “dreamlike.” Some people who have made their way to this country have had a difficult time doing so, whether in regards to settling in a safe neighborhood, making a living as an immigrant, and so on, though many have had great successes becoming entrepreneurs.
Hollywood hasn’t shied away from telling some of those stories, whether documenting a true tale, or creating their own depictions of things that have happened in the not-so-distant past.
There are some popular immigrant movies that we don’t necessarily think of as “realistic,” including stories like “The Godfather,” “Coming to America,” or even the more recent film “Concussion,” which focuses on football, but actually uses the true story of an immigrant doctor as the core of the film.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most notable movies about the immigrant experience. If you haven’t seen any of these films, they can really open your eyes as to what people coming to this country might have to go through, and how they’re treated once they’re in this country.
1. ‘The Namesake’ (PG-13)
In 2006’s “The Namesake,” American-born Gogul is raised by his Indian parents who immigrate from Calcutta, starting out as non-citizens of the U.S. and eventually finding their way here. Gogul struggles with his identity as both an American and an Indian. His parents are extremely traditional and immersed in Indian culture, even though they live in New York.
The premise of the movie is Gogul trying to discover who he really is. He starts off wanting to change his name at the beginning of the film, thinking that it sounds “too Indian,” and he wants to fit in with the New York culture he knows. Gogul tends to reject a lot of his Indian heritage until he takes a trip before starting college at Yale.
Gogul’s father finally tells him about the importance of his name (before he leaves on a teaching trip). It causes him to take a look at his native roots and where his family came from. He is then able to accept that background and his history, combining it with what he knows of America.
This film is actually based on a novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, an American author with an Indian background.
Watch the trailer for the 2006 film below:
2. “Brooklyn” (PG-13)
The 2015 film “Brooklyn“ is both a page from a history book as well as a view through a looking glass when it comes to an international romance. The film, based in 1951, follows Eilis Lacey from Ireland to Brooklyn, New York. Eilis immigrates to Brooklyn at the encouragement of her sister, to start fresh and have a better life.
From getting seasick on the way to New York, to staying in a boarding house with several other young women, “Brooklyn” provides a glimpse into the immigration culture of the early 1950s.
During her time in the city, Eilis ends up falling in love with a young man named Tony, the son of two Italian immigrants. It’s a beautiful blending of cultures that takes a more realistic and heartfelt look at immigration in New York, unlike some other comedic takes on it, like “Coffee and a Donut.”
Though “Brooklyn” is fictional, it does show how cultures of immigrants to this country survived, thrived, and came together for generations to come. It’s a beautiful story, and well worth the watch whether you’re a history buff or a sucker for romance!
Watch the trailer for “Brooklyn” below:
3. “An American Tail” (G)
It may be a cartoon, but 1986’s “An American Tail” is actually an interesting take on 19th-Century immigration, as a young mouse named Fievel travels from Russia to America with his parents, getting separated from them along the way.
The premise of the story is Fievel’s journey to find his family, but along the way, there are some accurate depictions of how New York City was a central hub for immigrants of all types during that time. In fact, from 1880-1930, over 28 million people immigrated to America from other countries (we don’t even want to think about how many mice did, too!).
As you might expect, this story has a happy ending. While it takes a lot of liberties as an animated film, “An American Tail” is a heartwarming story, and a great way to get your kids interested in learning more about American history and immigration.
Watch the trailer for “An American Tail” below:
There are so many more movies about immigration that could be added to this list, so don’t be afraid to do a little digging, yourself. Though most are made for entertainment purposes, movies surrounding the immigrant experience are often great ways to learn more about different cultures, and how those cultures are often treated when they immigrate to the United States.
– by Frankie Wallace
