Groundbreaking Films From The 2000s That Put Traditionally Underrepresented Groups In Hollywood

1. “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)

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In Ang Lee’s romantic drama, which is based on a short story by Annie Proulx, two American cowboys named Ennis and Jack fall in love while working on a distant mountain. However, once they are back in society, they hide their genuine emotions from friends and family out of fear of being treated unfairly. However, those emotions continue to be as intense as ever. The lead parts were played with great nuance and chemistry by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. In a time when LGBTQ+ romances on screen weren’t frequently depicted, Ennis and Jack’s relationship stood out. The film received positive reviews from critics and won three Academy Awards. Its legacy was further cemented in 2018 when the National Film Registry decided to preserve it.

2. “Roma” (2018)

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Through the viewpoint of Cleo, an intelligent Mexican woman employed as a family’s housekeeper, Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma” unfolds. After her lover vanishes, she is left to manage her pregnancy alone while her employers cope with family issues. Although it was Yalitza Aparicio’s first movie role, the actress gave the lead character a sophisticated layering of strength and sensitivity that gave the impression that she had been acting for years. Audiences were engaged in a perspective that is rarely depicted in popular cinema thanks to “Roma’s” consistent focus on Cleo’s life. The narrative of Cleo struck a chord with viewers so strongly that it garnered eleven Academy Award nominations and three wins.

3. “Coco” (2017)

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From the very first scene, Pixar’s movie is infused with Mexican aesthetics and customs. The story centers on a young boy named Miguel who desires to defy his family’s expectations by pursuing a career as a musician. During the Dia de Los Muertos festival, his adventure takes us from the Mexican streets to the Land of the Dead. Humor, poignant situations, and memorable melodies abound in Miguel’s story. His amazing and human story won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2017. “Coco” will hit all the right notes if you’re looking for a film that has a fantastic narrative and teaches you about Mexican culture.

4. “The Princess and the Frog” (2008)

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When it came to telling the tale of its first Black princess, Disney adopted traditional animation and a backdrop from the 1920s: New Orleans. Tiana is a young woman who must overcome financial difficulties and prejudice to realize her goal of owning a restaurant. When she mistakenly transforms into a frog after kissing a prince, her life becomes much more challenging. Tiana's unwavering attitude keeps her going forward toward her objective despite her surroundings. Her motivational story became a commercial and critical success. Because of Tiana's success, people hoped that she wouldn't be the only Black Disney princess.

5. “Over the Moon” (2020)

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A bright and industrious young lady named Fei Fei assists her father in managing a mooncake shop in China. She grew up believing her mother's tales about a goddess named Change who spent years waiting on the moon for her lover to come back. Fei Fei travels to the Moon to make a point about how long love lasts when her mother dies and her father is ready to remarry. The film deftly incorporates Chinese culture into a story about loss and love. Cathy Ang as Fei Fei, Phillipa Soo as Change, and Ken Jeong as the shining pangolin Gobi all provide excellent performances. They come to life in a dynamic contemporary setting that is deeply based on Chinese mythology.