Hoop Dreams

Release: October 14, 1994

A documentary film that follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two African-American teenagers who attend St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominantly white high school with an outstanding basketball program, coached by Gene Pingatore, whose alumni include Isiah Thomas, a star in the NBA. Dealing with everything from living in poor neighborhoods to not fitting in within their school's social environment, the film documents their quest to better their lives and those of their families, celebrating the small successes along the way. The film also raises a number of issues concerning race, social class, economic division, education, and values in the contemporary United States. Originally intended to be a 30-minute short film for KTCA/PBS, it eventually led to five years of filming and 250 hours of footage. a Sundance Film fest '94 official selection, where it won the Audience Award. Directed by Steve James. Produced by Frederick Marx, James and cinematographer Peter Gilbert [Marx and James were also editors with Bill Haugse] • Executive Producers: creative consultant Gordon Quinn and Catherine Allan. Music Producer: Ben Sidran. a Kartemquin Films/KCTA-TV production. a film by Steve James. a Fine Line Features release. General: 10/14/94 Not Rated/Theatrical [#33316]: PG-13 for drug content, and some strong language

Trailers

official "4 Critiques/Sundance Film Fest '94 Audience Award" trailer ('Corr...

Theatrical trailer.

Posters

Quotes

TV Commentator: " My mother, God bless her, she's always said in America you can make something of your life."

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William's brother: "All these basketball dreams I had have gone. All I see, all my dreams is in him now. I want him to make it so bad, I don't know what to do."

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Arthur Agee: "I never been to a school way out before and I will be going to a school with different kids, different races."

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Spike Lee: "You have to realize... that nobody cares about you. You're black. You're a young male. All you're supposed to do is deal drugs and mug women. The only reason why you're here... you can make their team win. If their team wins, these schools get a lot of money. This whole thing is revolving around money."

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William Gates: "Four years ago, that's all I used to dream about was playing in the NBA. I don't really dream about it like that anymore. You , know, even though I love playing basketball, but, you know, I want to do other things with my life, too... If I had to stop playing basketball right now, I think I'd still be happy. I think I would."

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William Gates: "When I had some real problems, I couldn't go to none of them about it. You know, was havin' some problems with Catherine's family and my family and I said, you know, "Coach Pingatore, you know, they finally been gettin' on me about, you know, I'm not doin' this and I'm not doin' that," And the only thing Coach Pingatore said, "Write 'em off." That was ll he told me. And I was like, what kind of advise is that?"

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Williams Gates: "That's why when somebody say, 'when you get to the NBA, don't forget about me', and that stuff. Well, I should've said to them, 'if I don't make it, don't you forget about me'."

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