Hoop Dreams (1994)
- Starring:
- William Gates, Arthur Agee, (more)
- Director(s):
- Steve James
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13
- Category:
- Special Interest, Documentary, Sports & Fitness
My RatingSynopsis of Hoop Dreams
This documentary about the aspirations of high-school basketball players from inner city Chicago won awards from the Sundance film festival, the New York Film Critics Circle, and the Academy Award (Oscar) for best editing. Two young men are followed during their entire high-school career, beginning with their participation in playground games and ending with their being recruited by colleges. The obstacles these young men face include parental drug addiction, family poverty, and inner-city violence, as well as the usual obstacles that arise in competition, including physical injuries. While each aspires to leave the ghetto, there are many reasons to suppose they may not be able to, despite each beating the odds against them by winning college scholarships. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 171 mins
Complete Cast of Hoop Dreams
- William Gates - Himself
- Emma Gates - Herself (William's mother)
- Earl Smith - Himself (Talent scout)
- Isiah Thomas - Himself (Professional basketball player)
- Kevin O'Neill - Himself (Marquette University head basketball coach)
- Spike Lee - Himself (Film director)
- Arthur Agee - Himself
- Sheila Agee - Herself (Arthur's mother)
- Gene Pingatore - Himself (Coach)
- Dick Vitale - Himself (Television sports commentator)
- Bobby Knight - Himself (Indiana University head basketball coach)
- Director(s):
- Steve James
- Producer(s):
- Peter Gilbert, Frederick Marx, Steve James
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG13(Watch With Your Teen, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Profanity)
- Categories:
- Documentary, Sports & Fitness, Special Interest
- 1994 - Independent Spirit Awards - Special Distinction
- 1993 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Documentary
- 1994 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Documentary
- 1994 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Documentary
- 1993 - Sundance Film Festival - Audience Award
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