The Award-winning documentary-film produced and directed by Steve James in 1994, 'Hoop Dreams' tells the real-life story of two young black American teenagers pursuing dreams of becoming NBA professionals. The three hour documentary-film follows the young men on their journey through the turbulent inner-city American 'ghetto' over a period of years. The unfortunate story of one who seemed to have all of the qualities of a top talent but proved simply not quite good enough (contributed to by an unfortunate injury) seems to be the underlying theme for one of the two main protagonists in the film, a teen named William Gates. The other, Arthur Agee, proves to be in a much tougher spot. With a mother on 'welfare' and a father struggling with drug use (which he eventually overcomes), he unfortunately sees less opportunities. The common factor in the lives of both teens is basketball.
The documentary-film does well to encapsulate so many of the challenges faced by African-American youth in the ghettos of America. Being raised by uneducated parents, many of these black youth prove to be the first generation with any chance of going to University (education being the determining factor in breaking the poverty cycle). The documentary chronicles the day to day struggle of life in the 'ghetto' and the ease with which the cycle of poverty is perpetuated and the culture of poverty imbedded.
One of the first problems encountered in the film was the inability of one of the two teen protagonists, Arthur Agee, to continue his studies (due to inability to pay tuition) at the St. Joseph High School, a suburban predominantly white school known for its recruitment of young talent, most notably Isiah Thomas. While Gates was able to continue at St. Joseph High, his High School career did not prove as successful as Agee's. Both eventually went off to college. Arthur Agee to a two year junior college and William Gates to a four year college.
Neither Agee nor Gates eventually played in the NBA. The story does initially appear to be bitter sweat but nonetheless highly intriguing. It is a story that is rarely ever told. Usually one hears about the NBA superstar who overcomes dire poverty to reach the heights of greatness. Such a narrative neglects the obvious facts that indicate only a small percentage of high school or college players do even make it into the NBA, with unpredictable fortune, 'luck' and even strategic connections playing no small part.
The film does leave it to each individual viewer to extract his or her own moral from the story. Regardless, it does leave this writer with a resounding lesson that the frivolity of sport, the unpredictability of one's physical capabilities and health coupled with the share ruthlessness of capitalism whether it be manifested in the college player recruitment process or that of the NBA (in America) dictates that a wise individual should prepare himself well, for any eventuality in the long-term; and in the case of youth, education is the wisest investment one could make early on in life.
The Film's trailer could be watched down below:
The documentary-film does well to encapsulate so many of the challenges faced by African-American youth in the ghettos of America. Being raised by uneducated parents, many of these black youth prove to be the first generation with any chance of going to University (education being the determining factor in breaking the poverty cycle). The documentary chronicles the day to day struggle of life in the 'ghetto' and the ease with which the cycle of poverty is perpetuated and the culture of poverty imbedded.
One of the first problems encountered in the film was the inability of one of the two teen protagonists, Arthur Agee, to continue his studies (due to inability to pay tuition) at the St. Joseph High School, a suburban predominantly white school known for its recruitment of young talent, most notably Isiah Thomas. While Gates was able to continue at St. Joseph High, his High School career did not prove as successful as Agee's. Both eventually went off to college. Arthur Agee to a two year junior college and William Gates to a four year college.
Neither Agee nor Gates eventually played in the NBA. The story does initially appear to be bitter sweat but nonetheless highly intriguing. It is a story that is rarely ever told. Usually one hears about the NBA superstar who overcomes dire poverty to reach the heights of greatness. Such a narrative neglects the obvious facts that indicate only a small percentage of high school or college players do even make it into the NBA, with unpredictable fortune, 'luck' and even strategic connections playing no small part.
The film does leave it to each individual viewer to extract his or her own moral from the story. Regardless, it does leave this writer with a resounding lesson that the frivolity of sport, the unpredictability of one's physical capabilities and health coupled with the share ruthlessness of capitalism whether it be manifested in the college player recruitment process or that of the NBA (in America) dictates that a wise individual should prepare himself well, for any eventuality in the long-term; and in the case of youth, education is the wisest investment one could make early on in life.
The Film's trailer could be watched down below:
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