Hoop Dreams

Director Steve James’ 1994 movie “Hoop Dreams” — often described as the documentary that changed documentaries — is something I recently rewatched.

The documentary follows the lives of two young Black American High School kids as they follow their dreams to make it all the way to professional Basketball. The NBA being the ultimate dream.

A quick lap around todays online content and you won’t have to look too hard to find an array of positive affirmations being thrown towards you. “Be the best version of yourself”, “Are you good enough?, yes you are”, “Yes WE can”, “Yes YOU can”.

Of course, Hoop Dreams predates the online experience but the follow your dream ethos has long been a staple of the American – and pretty much everybody else’s – dream.

Hoop Dreams, puts that to the test, unflinchingly stripping away the pretty facade to show just how difficult and rocky a road, it can be. A journey that leaves no margin for error or ill luck.

The film is about so much more than Basketball. It’s just as much a commentary about the realities of following any kind of dream how difficult it can prove to be once reality gets involved.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films about American life, it’s also about low income families trying to make the best life for themselves despite racial and class barriers.

If you enjoy documentaries that refuse to flinch in the face of hard realities, watch this! You won’t be disappointed.