Cross-cultural encounters often inspire touching stories and characters involved in interracial romances. Most of these tales feature people who find themselves confounded by both the thrills and conflicts of clashing cultures and the differences in beliefs and convictions. A handful of these films are now remembered as critically acclaimed works that received honors from prestigious award-giving bodies like the Academy Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and Sundance Film Festival. These films also received many other accolades in different parts of the world through their successful screenings in film festivals and international theatrical releases.
“West Side Story” (1961)
“West Side Story” is a musical that features a modern-day Romeo and Juliet love story. It sets its tale in the world of New York City street gangs in lieu of the feuding family clashes in William Shakespeare’s classic work. The film centers on the romance between a Puerto Rican immigrant whose brother is the gang leader of the Sharks and a former gangster from the rival gang of white Americans called the Jets.
With the interracial battles and opposition coming from both sides, the two lovers are forced to keep their relationship a secret. However, as their passionate and unstoppable love grows deeper, so does the escalating tension between the two gangs. Soon, this leads to a climactic and heartbreaking tragedy.
This film by by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins is one of the most-awarded films in the history of the Academy Awards. Out of 11 nominations, “West Side Story” won 10 awards, including the much-coveted trophy for Best Picture in 1962. It also won the Best Foreign Film Award at the Sant Jordi Awards in 1963.
“Mississippi Masala” (1992)
“Mississippi Masala” revolves around the cross-cultural romance between an Indian immigrant and an African American in the Deep South. She is the daughter of an Indian family who left Uganda during the regime of ruthless leader Idi Amin to live with family members who own a chain of motels in America. Meanwhile, he is a local self-employed carpet cleaner running his business in motel rooms. Amid their ardent love for each other, the couple’s respective families are not able to come to terms with this intercultural relationship.
This film by Mira Nair features a heart-rending story that depicts how leaving behind the prejudices of a harsh past is essential to living a better life in the present. It bagged several citations while touring around the festival circuit in 1993. These include the Best Film Award at the Venice Film Festival and a nomination for Best Feature Film at the Independent Spirit Awards.
“Never Forever” (2007)
“Never Forever” by Gina Kim tells the story of a biracial American couple who remains childless due to the husband’s infertility. After the man’s attempt to commit suicide because of his inability to impregnate his wife, she boldly gets into an illicit relationship with an illegal immigrant, a man of Korean descent just like her husband. The wife is determined to pay him to have sex with her in the hope of getting pregnant and saving her marriage. Although the arrangement succeeds, further complications arise as the husband learns about his wife’s extramarital affair.
This art-house film works as a genuine erotic drama and a riveting story about the intricacies of love and relationships. It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007. In the same year, it also won the Jury Special Prize at the Deauville Film Festival.
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