Top 10 Detective Films About Immigrants

Description: This film traces the life of a CIA operative from his Yale days to his involvement in the Bay of Pigs invasion. While not directly about immigrants, it explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the American Dream through its characters' backgrounds.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of James Jesus Angleton, a key figure in the CIA's history.

Description: This thriller involves an interpreter at the United Nations who overhears a plot to assassinate an African head of state. It explores themes of immigration, political intrigue, and the clash of cultures.

Fact: The film was the first ever to be shot inside the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Description: While not exclusively about immigrants, this film features a significant subplot involving Irish-American immigrants and their involvement in organized crime in Boston. It's a tale of moles, loyalty, and the quest for identity.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film, and it was a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs."

Description: This film follows Nikolai, a driver for the Russian mafia in London, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation involving a diary left by a murdered teenage girl. It's a gritty exploration of immigrant life, crime, and the underworld.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for his role, and the film was shot in London's East End, known for its diverse immigrant population.

Description: Based on a true story, this film follows a Nebraska police officer who uncovers a human trafficking scandal in post-war Bosnia, highlighting the plight of immigrant women.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Romania, which stood in for Bosnia.

Description: An Interpol agent and an American attorney track an arms dealer who has a web of political influence. The film touches on themes of corruption, international crime, and the immigrant experience through its diverse cast.

Fact: The film was shot in multiple countries, including Germany, Italy, and the United States, reflecting the global nature of its plot.

Description: A ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister uncovers a web of political intrigue and personal secrets. The film delves into themes of identity, nationality, and the immigrant experience through its characters.

Fact: Roman Polanski directed this film while under house arrest in Switzerland.

Description: Bob Saginowski, a bartender in Brooklyn, finds himself caught up in a robbery gone wrong, revealing secrets about his past and his ties to the Chechen mafia. The film explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the immigrant experience.

Fact: The film was based on a short story by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote the screenplay.

Description: Set in 1921, this film follows Ewa, a Polish immigrant, who arrives in New York City and falls into the hands of a manipulative pimp. The story unfolds with elements of crime, corruption, and the struggle for survival in a new world.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Ellis Island, providing an authentic backdrop to the immigrant experience.

Description: An ex-convict, now an informant for the FBI, must navigate the dangerous world of Polish mobsters in New York. It's a story of redemption, betrayal, and the immigrant experience.

Fact: The film was shot in both New York and Poland to capture the authentic feel of the immigrant community.