Question 1. Give the name of the film, producer and the year.
The name of the chosen film is Hoop Dreams. It was produced in 1994 by Steve James, Peter Gilbert, and Frederick Marx.
Question 2. Why did you select this film for your review?
There are few reasons to select this film. The first one is that I have an interest in basketball, so a documentary related to basketball players is attractive for me. Then, the other reason is that this film helped me know more about the social behaviors and psychology of people. Being a neurobiology student at UC Irvine, I believe that this film helps me to analyze the competition pressure, and social behavior can affect the human brain. Therefore, it can be said that watching this film provided me a chance to take a different approach to know more about the brain and psychological change impact on it.
Question 3. Have you seen it before?
It was the first time when I got to see this film.
Question 4. If so, how did a second viewing help in your understanding or enjoyment?
I have not seen the film before, but it provided me a chance to learn new things.
Question 5. What was the film’s purpose or thesis? Was it clear or did you have to infer it?
The purpose of the film is easy to understand that it is based on the story of young players who wanted to become professional basketball players. These two players are brothers and African-Americans. Their struggle and the difficulties they faced to become professional players highlighted issues related to class and race. The sacrifices that both brothers made highlighted its impact on their overall performance. Therefore, it can be said that the purpose of the film is very clear, and it did not need to be inferred.
Question 6. Who is the primary audience for this film?
The primary audience of this film is both blacks and whites. Black life is targeted more and also players of basket ball are also targeted. Therefore, it can be said that the targeted audience of this film is also those who have an interest in games such as basketball.
B. Relevance to coursework.
Question 1. How does this film relate to what you are learning the SS1A course lectures or readings?
The 30 minutes documentary film is presenting the social issues of the underclass youngsters. It is the reason that it is popular within the social science circles. It will not be incorrect to state that this film is highlighting the social structure of inner cities of America. Therefore, it can be said that this film relates to the lecture on “Social Sciences.” The reason is clear that it presents human society and it is based on the social relationships. The film is about racial issues and the problems underclass people face to achieve their dreams shows that there is social psychology concept is applied (George and Bennett). There are various social interactions in which both main characters William Gates and Arthur Agee were recruited by a scout for an outstanding basketball program considering their skills and passion towards basketball. The film also relates with August Comte lecture in which it is mentioned that anyone can do great things only if they have confidence in themselves. However, it is necessary that someone should consider the efforts of others and play its role to improve society. For that, it is important to find out the positivism in human behavior and to do that strong observation is required. For example, in this film the scout from St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, keenly observed the passions and willingness of both William Gates and Arthur Agee to become a professional basketball player.
Question 2. Which specific social science concepts, from this class or your readings, are helpful for understanding the film?
In this documentary, Gates and Agee both present an example of social science concept that is “social construction of reality”. It should be noted that social construction of reality is about the construction of dreams into reality (Sun 88). Therefore, it can be said that the class lectures on social science helped to understand the film in a better manner. As in this film, the social class difference and tuition fee affordability issue led Arthur to withdraw high school and go to the local public school. The trials and tribulations never affected their grades, and it was the reason that continued their hoop dreams until they achieved it. Moreover, it also comes to an understanding that the sports life and profession also get affected due to the social psychology. Overall, it can be said that this film is about the reality of daily existence in an inner city of America (Dowd 117).
Question 3. Which issues were the strongest in the film?
In this documentary film, there are a number of issues raised regarding racial discrimination, social class, values, economic division and educational issues in the United States. It will not be incorrect to state that the film is the medium to highlight the social issues of the society. It has multiple parallel stories in which two families of inner-city kids are trying hard to get a chance to become a professional player of the basketball team. It can be said that importance of wealth because Arthur and his family was unable to pay his elite school tuition fee and no one supported him knowing the fact that he is also a good player. As the competition was tough and Gates was already sponsored by a member of the booster club no one pays attention to Arthur. It clearly shows the lack of morality, economic division, and values. It was very discouraging for Arthur to leave his school where he was happy and had friends too. However, the hoop dream continues. Moreover, it is also noticed that sports life issues are also presented in this film. It is analyzed that an athlete faces various problems while enhancing his skills (Dowd 9).
C. Reflection.
Question 1. Were there any important omissions that you feel would improve the film?
As per my understanding, Hoop Dreams has shown the rules of the basketball game are stacked against new players like Gates and Agee. Therefore, it will not be incorrect to state that it is a heavy dose of the American dream as well as the American nightmare both are combined in this film. The use of dark theme with low lights in the film is a little depressing in some scenes that could have been improved. However, people admired this film, and it received various awards.
Question 2. How might this film impact others different from you (i.e. gender, ethnicity, culture)?
In this film different groups are targeted in which racists, and social class discriminators are included. Therefore, it can be said that the film might have impact on white people and those who are the creators of social class discrimination. Moreover, it will not be incorrect to state that sports sector and booster clubs are also targeted by Steve James that they should observe the right talent and then support them.
D. Film Specific Questions
12. How does education give you more control over your future plans?
Being educated means that someone can get a chance to change his future. By going into a right direction future, plans can be achieved. For that, it is necessary that quality education should be achieved. By securing good marks in college, it becomes easy for an individual to get into the relevant field or where he has interest. Therefore, it will not be incorrect to state that education is the key towards a bright and successful future. Thus, it can give control over future plans.
7. William believed that basketball was his only ticket out of poverty, but Catherine disagreed. Do you think there was another way to get out? What else could William have done to get out of poverty?
4. Why was Arthur able to stay away from drugs and Shannon was not?
The passion for becoming a good player helped Arthur to stay away from drugs whereas, Shannon was unable to realize the fact that drugs are taking away his life, and his family issues were the reason that couldn’t help him stay away from drugs. He was disappointed due to the family issues thus he took the wrong decision to start taking drugs.
6. Both needed good grades to play college basketball. Why do you think Arthur was not prepared for college?
The only reason due to which Arthur was not prepare for college were the obstacles he faced due to his parental drug addiction, family poverty, and high competition. Other than these, there were many other reasons too such as racial, social class, and economic division that were stopping Arthur to avail the opportunities.
3. How did the families help or hinder William and Arthur in their pursuit of basketball dreams?
The family of Arthur was not supportive at all, and it was the reason that Arthur faced various difficulties to pursue his basketball dreams. On the other side, William family was quiet supportive, and they wanted him to pursue his dreams.
8. How did William’s life change after Catherine had their baby? Whose life was affected most, William or Catherine?
William’s life changed right after Catherine had their baby as he started spending his time with his family and missed some of the matches. Coach Pingatore was unhappy with William’s play as Arthur leads the team towards victory but William couldn’t. Although, William loved to spend time with his family but his career at very early stage was affected.
Works Cited
Dowd, A.A. "Two teens reach for their Hoop Dreams in this nonfiction masterpiece." 2015. avclub.com. <http://www.avclub.com/review/two-teens-reach-their-hoop-dreams-nonfiction-maste-217290>. Online.
George, Alexander L. and Andrew Bennett. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2005. Print.
Sun, Ron. Grounding Social Sciences in Cognitive Sciences. Cambridge : MIT Press,, 2012. Print.
