The First Basket
The First Basket | |
---|---|
Directed by | David Vyorst |
Produced by | David Vyorst |
Narrated by | Peter Riegert |
Edited by | Carol Slatkin |
Music by | Roberto Juan Rodriguez |
Distributed by | Laemmle/Zeller Films |
Release date | 2008 |
Running time | 86 min |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
'The First Basket' is a documentary film on professional basketball's influence on Jewish culture. It is narrated by Peter Riegert. The film includes interviews and narratives provided by, and footage of, well known Jewish basketball personalities including Ossie Schectman and Red Auerbach as well as other Jewish basketball players.
Film Festivals
It premiered at the FilmFest DC International Film Festival and was shown at over 25 other film festivals. [1]
Critical Reception
Steep received generally excellent reviews from critics. As of October 2010 review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 67% of 9 professional critics have given the film a positive review. [2]
The Village Voice reviewer Ella Taylor, says of The First Basket:
"“The First Basket is more than a triumphalist screw-you to those who think Jews don't play sports. . .David Vyorst's clear-eyed, jaunty documentary briskly walks us through the history of American Jews in basketball” [3].
Film Journal International reviewer Lewis Beale,says of The First Basket:
"“An important historical document. . . engrossing and fun” [4].