Movies About Different Cultures

From Directors: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina, starring Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Rated PG

Coco is a 2017 Pixar animated film directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina. The story follows the adventures of a twelve-year-old boy, Miguel, who dreams of becoming a musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz despite his family’s generations-old ban on music. After accidentally entering the Land of the Dead, Miguel meets his ancestors and learns the secrets of his family’s history, and ultimately finds the courage to pursue his dreams. Along the way, he must confront his family’s past, as well as his own fears, in order to find his place in the world. The film is widely praised for its stunning visuals and its exploration of cultural heritage.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert, Hanno Pöschl
Rated R

Before Sunrise follows two strangers, Jesse and Celine, who meet on a train and instantly connect. They decide to spend the night together in Vienna, walking the streets, talking about their lives, and ultimately falling in love. Before sunrise is a romantic drama that explores the idea of destiny, fate, and the profound effects that one person can have on another in a single night. It is a timeless story of two young people in search of themselves and each other, and a film that speaks to the romantic in all of us.

From Kevin Costner, starring Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant
Rated PG-13

Dances with Wolves is a 1990 American epic Western drama film directed and produced by Kevin Costner. It stars Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, and Rodney A. Grant. Set during the American Civil War in 1863, the plot follows a Union Army lieutenant, John Dunbar (Costner), who is assigned to a remote western Civil War outpost, where he befriends the local Sioux tribe, and falls in love with a white woman, Stands with a Fist (McDonnell). Dunbar initially encounters difficulty in his dealings with the tribe, but earns the respect of Kicking Bird (Greene), a tribal elder, and eventually becomes accepted by the tribe. While living among the Sioux, Dunbar gradually adopts their lifestyle and comes to understand their way of life. Eventually, Dunbar is forced to choose between the two worlds he has come to love. In the end, he sides with the Sioux and helps them fight against the US Army Calvary. Dances with Wolves is a powerful story of courage, survival, and the power of friendship. It took home seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. It is widely considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made.

From Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan, starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla, Anil Kapoor
Rated R

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 British drama film directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan, written by Simon Beaufoy and produced by Christian Colson. The film stars Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, and Irrfan Khan. The film tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who becomes a contestant on the Indian version of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? game show. Despite his poverty, Jamal impresses the show's host, Prem Kumar, with his uncanny ability to answer every question correctly. As Jamal progresses through the game, his past is revealed through flashbacks, which explain how he knows the answers. The film, which was shot in India, received numerous awards and nominations, including ten Academy Award nominations, winning eight, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film was also the recipient of five BAFTA awards, including Best Film. Its worldwide box office gross was $377 million.

From Ang Lee, starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain, Tabu
Rated PG

Life of Pi is an American adventure fantasy drama film directed by Ang Lee and based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Yann Martel. The film stars Suraj Sharma as the protagonist, Pi Patel, a teenage Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and is stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger. The film follows Pi's story of survival and his journey of self-discovery as he embarks on an epic adventure of faith and discovery. Along the way, Pi encounters an array of animals, including a majestic Bengal tiger, a hungry orangutan, a zebra, an injured hyena, and an enormous whale. The film explores themes of religion, friendship, and the power of the human spirit. With stunning visuals and a powerful narrative, Life of Pi is an emotional journey that will leave viewers inspired and moved.

From Ang Lee, starring Sihung Lung, Kuei-Mei Yang, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-Lien Wu
Rated Not Rated

Eat Drink Man Woman is a 1994 romantic drama directed by Ang Lee set in modern-day Taipei, Taiwan. The film follows the story of Mr. Chu, a widower and highly respected chef, and his three daughters. Chu’s daughters are all approaching major milestones in their lives, which creates tension and conflict within the family. Chu's daughters struggle to accept their father’s traditional values while trying to find their own way in the modern world. The film explores themes of family, tradition, and change, as the characters learn to reconcile their differences and ultimately come together to rebuild their relationships.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation tells the story of Bob Harris (Bill Murray), an aging Hollywood actor who is in Japan filming a whiskey commercial. He meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a recent college graduate who is there with her photographer husband, John (Giovanni Ribisi). Both of them are struggling with feelings of alienation and loneliness in the strange city of Tokyo. The two form a bond and explore the city while finding solace in their conversations. Eventually, they develop a strong emotional connection. Bob and Charlotte grapple with the challenges of life, love, and the meaning of existence. Ultimately, they gain a newfound appreciation for life and the importance of relationships.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal, Mohamed Akhzam
Rated R

Babel is a 2006 drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The film follows four separate narratives, linked together by a single gun and a tragic event. In Morocco a young goatherd accidentally shoots an American tourist, Susan (Blanchett). In Japan, her husband Richard (Pitt) tries to cope with his grief and guilt. In the US, their Mexican nanny Amelia (Adriana Barraza) spirits her son away to her home country after being wrongly accused of abducting the couple's children. And in Morocco, two young children are left to fend for themselves in their father's absence. The film explores themes of communication, understanding, and the repercussions of life-altering events on an international scale.

From Peter Weir, starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas, Josef Sommer
Rated R

From Larry Charles, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Luenell, Chester
Rated R

From Directors: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci, starring Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Marc Anthony, Larry Block
Rated R

From Barry Levinson, starring Aidan Quinn, Elizabeth Perkins, Leo Fuchs, Eve Gordon
Rated PG

From Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell, starring Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
Rated PG

From Nicholas Stoller, starring Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Mila Kunis
Rated R

From Mike Newell, starring Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Simon Callow
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts, Ian Hart
Rated R

From George Tillman Jr., starring Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach
Rated R

From Spike Lee, starring Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, David Patrick Kelly, Zelda Harris
Rated PG-13

From Alfonso Arau, starring Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Anthony Quinn, Giancarlo Giannini
Rated PG-13

From Gurinder Chadha, starring Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher
Rated PG-13

From Wayne Kramer, starring Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta, Jim Sturgess
Rated R

From Ron Howard, starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Thomas Gibson, Robert Prosky
Rated PG-13

From Joel Zwick, starring Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Christina Eleusiniotis
Rated PG

From David Cronenberg, starring James Spader, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, Deborah Kara Unger
Rated NC-17

From John G. Avildsen, starring Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio, Pat E. Johnson, Bruce Malmuth
Rated PG