Top 10 Detective Films About Immigrants

Description: While not strictly a detective film, it involves an interpreter at the United Nations who overhears a plot to assassinate an African head of state, leading to a thrilling investigation. The film touches on themes of immigration, identity, and political intrigue.

Fact: The film was the first to be shot inside the United Nations headquarters.

Description: This film follows a British diplomat in Kenya who investigates his wife's murder, uncovering a conspiracy involving pharmaceutical companies and the exploitation of African immigrants. The detective elements are strong, with themes of justice and immigration at the forefront.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Kenya, providing an authentic backdrop to the story.

Description: Although not primarily about immigrants, the film features characters from various backgrounds, including Irish immigrants, and explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the immigrant experience within the context of crime and undercover work.

Fact: Martin Scorsese won his first Best Director Oscar for this film.

Description: This gritty thriller follows a British midwife who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld of London's Russian immigrant community after she tries to find the family of a baby born to a dying woman. The film's exploration of immigrant life, crime, and identity makes it a standout in this collection.

Fact: Viggo Mortensen learned Russian for his role and even got a tattoo that was real for the film's authenticity.

Description: This film follows an Interpol agent and an American attorney as they investigate an arms dealer with ties to various international criminal organizations, including those involving immigrants. The global setting and diverse cast highlight the immigrant narrative.

Fact: The film was shot in multiple locations around the world, including New York, Berlin, and Milan.

Description: This political thriller involves a ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, uncovering secrets that involve international politics and the immigrant experience. The film's setting and characters reflect the global nature of immigration.

Fact: The film was directed by Roman Polanski, who himself has a complex relationship with immigration.

Description: While not exclusively about immigrants, the film features a Chechen gangster and explores themes of identity and belonging in a Brooklyn neighbourhood. The plot revolves around a bar used for money laundering, leading to a complex web of crime and redemption.

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

Description: This film follows an ex-convict of Polish descent who becomes an informant for the FBI, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse with both the law and the Polish mob. The immigrant experience is woven into the narrative, highlighting cultural tensions.

Fact: The film was shot in both London and New York to capture the dual settings of the story.

Description: Set in 1921, this film follows Ewa, a Polish immigrant who arrives in New York and becomes embroiled in a web of deceit and crime. The detective-like elements come from Ewa's quest to find her sister and navigate the harsh realities of immigrant life.

Fact: The film was shot in New York City, providing an authentic backdrop to the story.

Description: While not directly about immigrants, the film explores the founding of the CIA and includes characters from various backgrounds, including those with immigrant roots. The narrative delves into espionage, loyalty, and the complexities of identity.

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