Movies

*Warning: Some of the comments below may contain spoilers!*

Listed here are some of my favorite movies that include topics of language, race and culture. They have all struck a chord with me at one point or another. There is always change in the characters during the movie. For some of them, it is a large change on one side, and a small on another. For others, change is more obvious on both sides.

One caution- watching a movie doesn't give you the full picture. What you have below (mostly) is a collection of Hollywood's interpretation of historical events. Some details are exaggerated, some are changed, and some are left out entirely. Never assume that because you have seen a movie about an immigrant family in the United States that you know what it is like to be an immigrant. One family's story is not necessarily the story for the next family. Always ask, and, more importantly, always listen.

I have included a short summary, the official rating and my recommendations, where to watch the movie and some questions to consider and/or some of my favorite moments from the films. Enjoy!

The Bad Guys

A fun, kid-friendly movie about Bad Guys who have never been given the chance to be anything but bad. But do they have what it takes to be good?

Rating/Audience: PG

My kids love it and so do I!

Where to watch: Netflix

Questions/Moments to consider:

"Next time you see me in your neighborhood, don't you be thinking that I'm up to no good."

Hidden Figures

The story of the African American women who helped the United States make it to the moon. The three women highlighted in the movie have different struggles against the same system.

Rating/Audience: PG

Where to watch: Disney+

Questions/Moments to consider:

Remember the Titans

A classic! Based on the true story of the integration of two high schools in the South, and the football team that brought a divided town together.

Rating/Audience: PG

Best for middle/high school audiences

Where to watch: Disney+

Questions/Moments to consider:

Mcfarland USA

The true story of a cross country running team in Mcfarland, USA. It tells the story of an all-white family who moves to a small agricultural community in California where the population is all Hispanic. A movie that I think is a great commentary on the question, "What is the American Dream made of?"

Rating/Audience: PG

Where to watch: Disney+

Questions/Moments to consider:

How would I react moving to a place like McFarland if I had no experience with the Latinx culture?

What can I learn from the White family about overcoming differences?

What can I learn from the families of McFarland about the balance between family and work; about being welcoming and accepting?

"This is America, right? You gotta go bigger. Find a nicer place. Better pay, with better everything. Everyone's always gonna go for the better everything. That's why no one stays in McFarland unless they have to."

Is bigger, nicer, "better pay, with better everything" what the American Dream means to me? Do my actions agree with my answer?

"We fly like blackbirds through the orange groves, floating on a warm wind. When we run, we own the earth. The land is ours. We speak the birds' language. Not immigrant no more. No stupid Mexicans. When we run, our spirits fly. We speak to the gods. When we run, we are the gods."

Glory Road

Integration of a black and white basketball team in the United States. The team and coach face challenges as they try to have a successful season as well as successful lives.

Rating/Audience: PG

Best for middle/high school audiences (some violent demonstrations of racism)

Where to watch: Disney+

Questions/Moments to consider:

Safety

Based on the true story of an aspiring Clemson football player who faced the choice between family and his team.

Rating/Audience: PG

Best for middle/high school audiences (Drug addiction and accompanying issues are a main theme in this movie.)

Where to watch: Disney+

Questions/Moments to consider:

What unseen struggles is my teammate, classmate, family member or friend going through? How can I help them?
Do I always have to choose between my family and something else?
How can I better support others so they are not faced with the choice between family and their future?

Stand and Deliver

One of my favorites! A great movie telling the true story of a group of kids who defied expectations, even their own, and the teacher that helped them along the way.

Rating/Audience: PG

Best for middle/high school audiences

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV

Questions/Moments to consider:

Rise

The true story of a family's search for home amid the struggles of discrimination.

Rating/Audience: PG

Best for middle/high school audiences (there are some intense moments throughout)

Where to watch: Disney+

Questions/Moments to consider:

The Antetokounmpo family sacrifices to be together. Why?
What would I sacrifice for my family?
What would I do to make my family proud?
What would I do to keep my family together?

The Blind Side

One of my favorite things about this movie is that you can walk through struggles with the Tuohy family. It addresses some common challenges people face in trying to be more open. I have mentioned a few of these below.

Rating/Audience: PG-13

Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon, HBO

Questions/Moments to consider:

Mrs. Tuohy asks Michael "What is one thing I should know about you?" and then she respects what he says. What could you learn about others if you asked? How have you responded to requests from others regarding how they like to be addressed or regarding what is important for them?
When Michael runs away, Mrs. Tuohy asks herself whether she actually was trying to help Michael achieve what he wanted, or if it was just what she wanted.
The teachers at school at first were not thrilled with the prospect of teaching Michael. To my fellow teachers out there, I know you may have felt the same when a student comes to your class who is particularly behind in school. Maybe they have had interrupted schooling. Maybe they don't speak English. What did the teachers do to support Michael? How can you work with colleagues and friends to better support the students you teach/people you interact with?