8 Inspirational Movies For First-Generation Fathers

Movies are the depiction of life, and you can find a lot of inspiration and lessons in many movies you watch. While compelling storylines come in many forms, there is something distinctly satisfying about a movie based on real-life and situations. They show you what others did while facing relatable challenges and how they overcame or failed. Here are eight movies that every first-generation dad should watch which illustrates those challenges as a first-gen dad:

‘The Namesake’ (2006)

The Namesake depicts the struggles of husband and wife Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, first-generation immigrants from the East Indian state of West Bengal to the United States, and their American-born children Gogol and Sonia.

The story follows Ashoke and Ashima traveling from Calcutta and settles in New York City. Through a series of miscues, their son’s nickname, Gogol (named after Russian author Nikolai Gogol), becoming his official birth name, an event that will shape many aspects of his life. The story chronicles Gogol’s cross-cultural experiences and his exploration of his Indian heritage as the story shifts between the United States and India.

This movie is good because it highlights the father’s story of entering a new marriage in a new country and the parallels it has with his son. What does it mean to pass on generational experiences, and how do you maintain your culture while allowing your children to discover themselves?

“A Better Life” (2011)

This movie tells the tale of Carlos Galindo first-generation immigrant from Mexico who works as a gardener in Los Angeles, his American-born son, Luis.

The movie follows Carlos and Luis as they navigate gangs, police, and robbers. Carlos talks to Luis about his mother abandoning them, while Luis mentions that he dislikes Mexican music and culture. After being arrested, incarcerated, and deported as an illegal American immigrant. The movie then follows Luis as he connects with his family while his father travels through the desert to get back to reconnect with his son.

What makes this movie good is that it resonates with millions in the United States. Claros lived in the shadows due to his illegal status but did everything to provide for his teenage son.

“In America” (2002)

This movie tells the tale of Johnny and Sarah Sullivan and their daughters Christy and Ariel in 1985 entering the United States on a tourist visa from Ireland via Canada. In New York City, the family settles in a rundown Hell’s Kitchen tenement occupied by drug addicts, other unscrupulous characters.

The movie highlights the family’s struggle to deal with their five-year-old son Frankie, who died from a brain tumor. As a devout Roman Catholic and father, Johnny questions God and has lost any ability to feel genuine emotions, which has affected his relationship with his family.

What makes this movie good is that it illustrates how a father deals with the death of a child, religion, and relocation.

“Fly Away Home” (1996)

The movie tells the tale of the relationship between Amy Alden and her father, Thomas Alden. After Amy’s mother dies in a car accident, the 13-year-old is brought from New Zealand to Ontario, Canada, by her estranged father to live with him and his girlfriend.

This story illustrates how Thomas connected with his daughter, who initially struggles to find her place in her new home in the unlikeliest ways. When Amy finds an abandoned nest of 16 goose eggs, she and her dad work together, teaching the motherless birds to fly south for the winter, and their relationship blooms.

What makes this movie good is that it shows how a father could connect with his daughter through the struggles of estrangement and cultural differences.

“The Godfather II” (1974)

The movie is the compelling sequel to “The Godfather,” contrasting the life of Corleone father and son. It traces the problems of a young first-generation immigrant, Vito Corleone, in 1917’s Hell’s Kitchen and his American-born son Michael Corleone in 1958.

This story trails Michael surviving many misfortunes, and Vito’s introduced to a life of crime. In 1901, the family of nine-year-old Vito Andolini was killed in Corleone, Sicily, after his father insults local Mafia chieftain Don Ciccio. Vito escapes on a ship to New York City and is registered as “Vito Corleone” on Ellis Island. In 1917, having settled in New York, he marries and has three sons. He loses his job due to the interference of a local don, Fanucci; Clemenza invites Vito to take part in a burglary unwittingly. 

On the other hand, his son Micheal In 1958, during his son’s First Communion party at Lake Tahoe, Michael has a series of meetings in his role as the don of the Corleone crime family. Frank Pentangeli, a Corleone capo, is dismayed that Michael refuses to help defend his territory against the Rosato brothers, who work for Hyman Roth, a long-standing Corleone business partner. That night, Michael leaves Nevada after surviving an assassination attempt at his home.

What makes this movie suitable? I mean, it’s the godfather; other than that, it shows the comparison of the father coming to American and establishing himself as a Don and the ripple effect it has on his family years later. 

‘Refugee’ (2003)

Mike Siv planned to go to Cambodia with his buddies Paul and David to see the sights, have fun and reunite with his father and younger brother, whom he hasn’t seen in 22 years. 

However, before the journey begins, the harsh reality sets, as Mike, Paul, and David have never been out of the U.S. They are also the first in their families to visit Cambodia since fleeing the bloody regime of Pol Pot in the late 1970s.

What makes this movie suitable as it explores the history of the immigrant journey. It explores how people usually forget the trials, tribulations and those before them

“Blood of My Blood” (2007)

Pedro is a Mexican immigrant traveling by truck to New York City to find his wealthy father, Diego, a man he has never met. All Pedro has is a 17-year-old letter with an address at which Diego once worked.

However, on the road, a confident man named Juan takes the letter and steals Pedro’s identity. Pedro slowly makes his way to New York, but Juan arrives first and finds Diego, convincing him that he is his long-lost son.

What makes this movie good is exploring the depths someone will go to connect with a father even if they are not their own and how a father’s love will open up for his child.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)

So this movie is not about an immigrant dad, but the struggle of a single father, Chris Gardner.

After being evicted from their apartment, he and his young son find themselves alone with no place to go. Even though Chris eventually lands a job as an intern at a prestigious brokerage firm, the position pays no money. The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in to despair as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his son.

This movie is good because it highlights how a father works on his dream and keeps his son safe while defying all the odds.

Conclusion
Now each movie will make a good Saturday night watch. These will help you understand that we all go through different situations, but there are ways to deal with them. Although we are all first-generation fathers but still not a monolith, we are indifferent and face other things. Remember, your family looks to you to help with guiding them. Relax because you are doing great.