Hoop Dreams (1994)

A film following the lives of two inner-city Chicago boys who struggle to become college basketball players on the road to going professional.

Director:

Steve James

Writers:

Steve James, Frederick Marx

Stars:

William Gates, Arthur Agee, Emma Gates

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 21 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Gates	...	Himself
Arthur Agee	...	Himself
Emma Gates	...	Herself - William's Mother
Curtis Gates	...	Himself - William's Brother
Sheila Agee	...	Herself - Arthur's Mother
Arthur 'Bo' Agee	...	Himself - Arthur's Father
Earl Smith	...	Himself - Talent Scout
Gene Pingatore	...	Himself - High School Basketball Coach
Isiah Thomas	...	Himself - Professional Basketball Player
Marlyn Hopewell	...	Herself - High School Guidance Counselor (as Sister Marlyn Hopewell)
Bill Gleason	...	Himself - Television Reporter
Patricia Weir	...	Herself - President: Encyclopedia Brittanica
Marjorie Heard	...	Herself - High School Guidance Counselor
Luther Bedford	...	Himself - High School Basketball Coach
Aretha Mitchell	...	Herself - High School Guidance Counselor

Storyline

This documentary follows two young African-Americans through their high school years as they perfect their skills in basketball in the hopes of getting a college scholarship and eventually play in the NBA. Arthur Agee and William Gates both show great potential and are are actively recruited as they look to enter high school. They start off at the same high school but unable to pay an unexpected bill for tuition fees, Arthur has to withdraw and go to the local public high school. The film follows them through their four years of high school and their trials and tribulations: injuries, slumps and the never ending battle to maintain their grades. Through it all, their hoop dreams continue.

---

Plot Keywords:

basketball | athlete | national film registry | high school | college | 

---

Taglines:

An Extraordinary True Story.

---

Genres:

Documentary | Drama | Sport

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for drug content and some strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Basquete Blues

Filming Locations:

Cabrini Green Housing Complex, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$700,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$7,830,611

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,830,611

Company Credits

Production Co:

KTCA Minneapolis, Kartemquin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

170 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Announcer: Welcome to the 38th Annual NBA All Star game from Chicago Stadium.

---

Crazy Credits

Thanks to the St. Joseph High School community and Coach Gene Pingatore who agreed to participate in a not for profit Kartemquin Educational film telling William and Arthur's stories. Today, St. Joseph, with a 39% minority enrollment, remains committed to the dream of a better life for all. Awarding need based financial aid to 40% of its students, St. Joseph with limited resources continues to maintain its academic excellence. A Hoop Dreams Fund has been set up to provide academic scholarships.

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Love Affair/Wes Craven's New Nightmare/Exit to Eden/Hoop Dreams/The Specialist/Little Giants (1994)

---

Soundtracks

Turn Off the Radio
Written by Eric Sadler & Ice Cube
Warner-Tamberlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Your Mother's Music, Inc. (BMI), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP),
Gangsta Boogie Music (ASCAP), Ujama Music (N/S), Strong Island Music (N/S)
Your Mother's Music, Inc. Admin. by Warner-Tamberlane Publishing Corp.
Gangsta Boogie Music admin. by WB Music Corp.

User Reviews

Dreamin'

I love this movie. Back in 98 I had the unexpected pleasure of catching it on PBS. At first I casually watched it, having heard of it upon its release a few years earlier. Not too far into the three hour running time, I found myself going from casual onlooker to absolutely hooked.

The story is amazing in its scope. Four years of high school and some brief college material are documented here. We hop on board the lives of two high school basketball stars from Chicago, all but consumed with the desire to play in the NBA. Both boys are similar in some ways, and yet very different.

As their story unfolds, you become very aware at how real this story is for many young athletes. All Hollywood clichés are left in the dust and the truth only a documentary can muster pulls us along for what seems like a film that is strangely too short. Three hours have never gone by so quick.

Your heart will cheer, break, and then cheer again for these two great kids as they struggle with their dreams of reaching the ultimate level, as well as their struggle to just find a way through their daily lives. I won't do you the disservice of giving away anything. Just sit down and watch a great movie, and find out for yourself. Good Stuff!

10/10