Hester Street (1975)

Jewish immigrant Steven Keats’s assimilated life is greatly upended when his less-adaptable wife Carol Kane and son arrive from Russia. A decidedly low-budget film, Kane’s performance as a woman finding her way in a new country despite her philandering husband’s unsympathetic ways is understated and tender. With its sepia toned cinematography, the film feels like an authentic view into New York immigrant life, particularly of the Jewish population.

Oscar Nomination: Best Actress in a Leading Role