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At the Movies: 10 Must-See Immigration Related Movies

By immigrationprof

Buzzfeed has this top 10 list of movies that offer important insights on immigration.

 

Number 1 is Coming to America with Eddie Murphy.  A young Eddie Murphy plays Akeem Joffer, a crown prince from the fictional African country of Zamunda. Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Samuel L. Jackson also appear in this comedy classic.

 

2. In America

 

3. The Kite Runner

 

4. Babel

 

5. Crash

Set over a 36-hour period in Los Angeles, this is another multi-narrative film with an even larger ensemble cast. One of the characters featured is immigrant shop owner Farhad, portrayed by Shaun Toub, who also appears in The Kite Runner (#3). Crash won Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing at the Oscars in 2006. 

6. House of Sand and Fog     
 
7. The Visitor
A professor finds an undocumented immigrant couple living in his New York City apartment and decides to let them stay. Richard Jenkins was nominated for an Academy Award in 2009 for his role as the professor, Walter.
This is a wonderful film showing how a university professor befriends undocumented immigrants and learns about the modern U.S. immigration detention and removal system. 
 
8. Entre Nos
Originally setting out to reunite her family, a Colombian immigrant attempts to survive in New York City with her two children.
 9. Lost Boys of Sudan
A feature-length documentary film about the journey of two young Sudanese refugees as they flee civil war and adjust to American culture.
 
10. The Godfather: Part II
One of the greatest films ever made is anchored by the immigration story of the young Vito Corleone. In a series of flashbacks, we see Vito fleeing Sicily as a kid, arriving at Ellis Island, struggling as a new immigrant, and establishing the Corleone family. This cinematic masterpiece was nominated for 11 Oscars, and won 6 at the ceremony in 1975, including Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro's portrayal of Young Vito Corleone.
 One of the greatest films ever made is anchored by the immigration story of the young Vito Corleone. In a series of flashbacks, we see Vito fleeing Sicily as a kid, arriving at Ellis Island, struggling as a new immigrant, and establishing the Corleone family. This cinematic masterpiece was nominated for 11 Oscars, and won 6 at the ceremony in 1975, including Best Supporting Actor for Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Young Vito Corleone.
 
 
KJ
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Current Affairs and Film & Television