Hoop Dreams Film Still

Hoop Dreams

Steve James

United States

1994

171 minutes

Color

1.33:1

English

289

Synopsis

Two ordinary inner-city kids dare to dream the impossible—professional basketball glory—in this epic chronicle of hope and faith. Filmed over a five-year period, Hoop Dreams follows young Arthur Agee and William Gates as they navigate the complex, competitive world of scholastic athletics while striving to overcome the intense pressures of family life and the realities of their Chicago streets. The Criterion Collection is proud to present this landmark documentary chronicling two remarkable families who challenge the American dream.

Cast

William Gates
Arthur “Man” Agee, Jr.
Emma Gates
Curtis Gates
Arthur “Bo” Agee, Sr.
Sheila Agee
Joe “Sweetie” Agee
Tomika “Tony” Agee
Earl Smith
Isiah Thomas
Spike Lee
Bobby Knight
Kevin O’Neill

Credits

DirectorSteve James
ProducerFrederick Marx, Steve James and Peter Gilbert
ScreenplayPeter Gilbert
EditingFrederick Marx, Steve James and William Haugse
Co-producerGordon Quinn
SoundAdam Singer and Tom Yore
Music producerBen Sidran
Postproduction supervisorSusanne Suffredin
Executive in charge for KTCAGerry Richman
Additional musicTom Yore
NarratorSteve James

Disc Features

  • Two audio commentaries with stars Arthur Agee and William Gates and filmmakers Peter Gilbert, Steve James, and Frederick Marx
  • Segments from Siskel and Ebert tracking the acclaim for Hoop Dreams
  • Original music video
  • Theatrical trailers
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
  • PLUS: A booklet featuring a dedication to the Gates and Agee families written by the filmmakers; new essays by writer and cultural historian John Edgar Wideman, and Sports Illustrated senior writer Alexander Wolff; and Michael Wise’s Washington Post article “Looking Back at Broken Dreams”

From the Current

Hoop Dreams: Serious Game

by John Edgar Wideman May 9, 2005

The familiarity and sadness of certain scenes (William Gates missing a crucial foul shot, Arthur Agee’s parents paying a humiliating visit to St. Joseph’s, a suburban Chicago prep school, where they . . .

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Available Editions

Hoop Dreams Criterion DVD Add to Cart

DVD

1 Disc

SRP: $29.95

Criterion Store price

$23.96