Social Justice Resource Library

The series American Born Chinese is a coming-of-age story that follows Jin Wang, a Chinese-American teenager navigating the complexities of his identity in a predominantly white high school. Struggling to fit in, Jin distances himself from his nerdy friends and seeks acceptance from the popular crowd. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Wei-Chen, a new student who reveals himself to be the son of the legendary Monkey King from Chinese mythology. This encounter pulls Jin into a fantastical conflict involving mythological gods, intertwining themes of cultural identity, friendship, and self-acceptance. The narrative explores not only Jin's personal growth but also the immigrant experience, making it a culturally resonant piece for contemporary audiences.

Becoming Labrador is a 2018 documentary film that follows the stories of Filipino immigrant workers in the remote town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. It explores their experiences of leaving their families behind in the Philippines to pursue job opportunities in Canada, with the hope of providing a better life for their loved ones. The film delves into the challenges they face, such as homesickness, isolation, discrimination, and the emotional toll of being separated from their families. It offers an intimate portrayal of the sacrifices and resilience of these individuals as they navigate the complexities of immigration and strive to build a sense of belonging in their new community

Earth to Mouth is a 2003 documentary directed by Yung Chang, showcasing the agricultural processes at Wing Fong Farm in southern Ontario. The film captures the journey of Asian vegetables from tilling and planting to harvesting, highlighting their significance in Chinese markets. Through its visual narrative, it explores the intersection of farming practices and cultural traditions within the Chinese community, providing insight into the hard work and dedication involved in bringing food from the earth to the table.

Farha is a 2021 Arabic film directed by Darin J. Sallam. It is a coming-of-age story set in 1948 during the Arab-Israeli war. The film follows Farha, a 14-year-old Palestinian girl who dreams of getting an education, but her life is upended when violence reaches her village. Her father locks her in a concealed food storage room for safety, where she witnesses the brutalities of war through a tiny hole in the wall over the next few days, forcing her to grow up abruptly. The 92-minute film poignantly depicts how civilian lives, especially those of women and children, are caught in the crossfire of war. It transitions from idyllic scenes of Farha's village to the chaos and darkness she experiences while confined, conveying the trauma of war through her perspective.

"Film Club" is a documentary directed by Cyrus Sundar Singh that reflects on the experiences of immigrant youth in Canada during the 1970s. The film centers around a Grade 8 teacher who forms a film club to share his passion for cinema with his students. Through the lens of the club, the documentary explores themes of multiculturalism, identity, and belonging as it features six original members reminiscing about their lives, their reasons for immigrating to Canada, and the impact of the film club on their personal development.

Finding Freedom is a thought-provoking Canadian documentary directed by Alan Goldman that follows the harrowing journeys of four asylum seekers fleeing persecution and human rights violations. The film sheds light on the disturbing conditions in refugee detention centers and the challenges faced by refugees even after finding freedom in countries like Canada. It highlights the work of private refugee sponsors and organizations, addressing the ethical responsibility to provide refugees with a dignified immigration and resettlement process

In Canada is a 20-minute bilingual film directed by Michael Morein, released in 2014. The film showcases the personal stories and experiences of diverse immigrants who have settled in Canada, highlighting themes of journey, arrival, and belonging. It aims to reflect the varied backgrounds and narratives of those who have made Canada their home, emphasizing the richness of cultural diversity within the country.

"Living Undocumented" is a Netflix documentary series that follows the stories of eight undocumented immigrant families in the United States facing potential deportation under the Trump administration's zero-tolerance immigration policies in 2018. The series provides an intimate and heart-wrenching look into the lives of these families, capturing their fears, struggles, and resilience as they navigate the complex and often cruel immigration system. It highlights the human cost of dehumanizing and populist politics, showcasing the emotional toll on parents and children alike as they face the threat of being separated or deported from the country they call home

Minari is a 2020 American drama film directed and written by Lee Isaac Chung, inspired by his own childhood experiences. The story follows a South Korean immigrant family, the Yis, as they relocate from California to rural Arkansas in the 1980s in pursuit of their American dream. As they navigate the challenges of their new life, the film explores themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and resilience. The film poignantly depicts the struggles of assimilation and the quest for belonging, ultimately highlighting the enduring strength of family ties amidst adversity.

Riceboy Sleeps is a 2022 Canadian drama film written, directed, and edited by Anthony Shim. It follows a Korean immigrant single mother named So-Young (Choi Seung-yoon) raising her son Dong-Hyun (Ethan Hwang) in Canada, determined to provide him a better life than the one she left behind in South Korea. The film poetically explores themes of cultural identity, belonging, and the challenges of the immigrant experience through the tender bond between mother and son

"Where I Belong" is a 2007 documentary that follows the life of Arinze Eze, a young man navigating the complexities of cultural identity. Born in Canada but raised in Nigeria, Arinze returns to Canada after two decades, where he embarks on a new career in the arts and develops a romantic relationship with a Canadian woman. The film captures his struggle to balance the expectations of his African heritage with his new life in Canada. The documentary explores themes of identity, love, and the quest for belonging in a multicultural context

The Borderlines Podcast is a Canadian legal podcast that delves into immigration law and policy. It features discussions on various topics related to immigration, including historical perspectives, recent legal developments, and the challenges faced by immigrants in Canada. Episodes cover a range of subjects, such as the impact of immigration on housing prices and labor market needs, historical analyses, current issues affecting immigrants, including the difficulties in obtaining permanent residence and the recognition of foreign credentials.
The podcast aims to inform listeners about the complexities of Canadian immigration and the evolving landscape of immigration law.

Colour Code is a podcast produced by The Globe and Mail that explores the complex and often challenging subject of race in Canada. Hosted by Denise Balkissoon and Hannah Sung, the podcast aims to foster open conversations about race and identity, addressing how these issues impact Canadians from diverse backgrounds.
Each episode features personal narratives and discussions with various guests, including public figures and community members, who share their experiences and insights related to race.

Immigrantly is a boundary-pushing podcast hosted by Saadia Khan that celebrates the diverse experiences of immigrants. The podcast aims to provide a platform for underrepresented voices, tackling themes such as race, identity, and the immigrant experience. Each episode features inspiring guests, including artists and activists, who share their stories and insights. Immigrantly strives to foster understanding and empathy towards the immigrant experience in the United States.

Many Roads to Here is a podcast produced by The Immigrant Story that focuses on the experiences of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the United States. It aims to present their stories in their own words, fostering a national dialogue about migration, identity, and the challenges faced by newcomers. The podcast seeks to counter stereotypes and provide a platform for marginalized voices, particularly those of immigrants and refugees of color.

Migration Conversations is a podcast hosted by Professor Jamie Liew that focuses on sharing personal migration stories. Each episode features in-depth discussions with individuals who have navigated the Canadian immigration system or other migration processes. The podcast aims to illuminate the challenges faced by migrants through their own voices, including insights from migrants, lawyers, policymakers, and advocates.

Modern Immigrant is a weekly podcast that explores the diverse experiences of immigrants in the United States. Hosted by Vero, originally from Caracas, Venezuela, the podcast aims to amplify immigrant voices through conversations that cover a wide range of topics, including Latino representation and the implications of immigration policies. The podcast features interviews with various guests who share their personal stories and insights about navigating life in a new country, fostering a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience