To celebrate its 25th anniversary, this classic documentary - widely regarded as one of the greatest ever made - is introduced here by director Steve James, exclusively for Curzon Home Cinema.
An epic portrait of two teens and their journey from college scholarship to National Basketball Association and glittering careers. But unlike the myth of the American dream, the two boys’ journey would be stymied by economic hardship.
Director Steve James’ film was originally intended as a 30-minute documentary for PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) but the filmmaker’s interest in his subjects and the realisation that their story also reflected a grander narrative of contemporary African American life, transformed it into a five-year shoot and an epic documentary that would win the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. What’s remarkable is that James’ completed film feels not a minute too long. An extraordinarily assembled work that remains the only documentary to be nominated for a Best Editing Oscar takes us on a voyage which proves to be enlightening and moving. enlightening and moving.
★★★★★ “Heartfelt and affecting.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
★★★★★ “On of the first films to suggest that what happens behind a sport is more interesting than the action.” Kevin Maher, The Times
★★★★★ “A three-hour documentary about basketball is probably not most people’s idea of a night out, but this one is unforgettable.” - Timothy Sortie, Time Out
