Movie(s) with modern immigration theme

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

The Visitor - 2007, starring Richard Jenkins

I saw this movie when it originally came out but did a re-watch (DVD from the library) with my wife last night. I really liked it the first time around but now it's especially poignant having experienced my own US immigration journey/story. Don't want to give away too much of the plot but it's a story of an American (Jenkins) who meets up with 3 people, 2 from Syria and 1 from Senegal, who have come to the US. There are a couple of other subtle themes in the movie in addition to the immigration storyline. I thought the movie handles the immigration details pretty well. The thing that I think they captured the best was Jenkin's American character's absolute bewilderment as he attempts to understand the immigration issues that affect his new friends.

Anyone know of any other movies with modern immigration stories (to the US or any other country for that matter)?

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

The Good Lie - 2014

I was delightfully surprised to discover this movie on HBO a few weeks ago. The story revolves around a group of adolescents within Sudan who struggle to escape from the violence and civil war that engulfed their country 10-15 years ago. This is a true story of a subset of young people referred to as the Lost Boys of Sudan (girls were part of the the group, too) who eventually escaped not only the violence but also the refugee camps to immigrate to the US as seekers of asylum. Half the movie involves their struggles as youths in Africa, and the other half as young adults newly moved to America. There are some surprise plot twists in the movie, and some heart breaking scenes too. Reese Witherspoon's picture seems to dominate the DVD cover but she's really a minor character. The movie is primarily about the Africans who escape the civil war violence. I definitely recommend this title.

[AMZJ 61]

Like Crazy, it's about a US guy and a UK girl who overstays her student visa and the struggle they have to get her back to the US. It's very realistic and quite upsetting.