The 1994 American documentary film “Hoop Dreams” directed and produced by Steve James, Frederick Marx, and Peter Gilbert is regarded as one of the best documentaries ever made. During it’s nearly three hours runtime it follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two African-American high school students, in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film gives a detailed insight into the boys’ lives over several years, showing them at school, at home with their families, and on the streets and explores issues of race, class, and education in the US. The framing and depiction of the streets and neighborhoods seem to have been a direct influence on David Simon and his team in creating the visual style of their acclaimed TV Show “The Wire”.
Excellent Watch.
