Fast Facts About More Than a Game Documentary

Film About NBA Basketball Star LeBron James Reveals Humble Beginning

Sep 17, 2009

The new documentary shows how five young basketball players from Ohio became friends and sports stars under the direction of Coach Dru Joyce II.

This heartfelt documentary by Kristopher Belman is as much about friendship as it is about basketball. The film follows five young basketball players during a seven-year journey from a dreary inner-city gym to the glamorous competition of the national high school championships.

LeBron James and the Story of the Fab Five

Led by devoted father, but inexperienced basketball coach Dru Joyce II, five inner-city Akron, Ohio, boys (LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, and Romeo Travis) learn about friendship and good sportsmanship through their commitment to basketball.

The coach and boys endure various tests and challenges in their personal lives, but manage to overcome these through dedication and talent. In particular, LeBron takes on superstar status as the media latch onto his incredible dunking skills and swaggering personality.

Through professional cinematography, live interviews, archival news footage, home videos, and personal family photographs, the complete story of the Fab Five comes to the big screen for the first time.

Theatrical release dates are scheduled throughout the month of October (beginning on October 2), but the film had its world premiere in 2008 at the Toronto Film Festival where it received a five-minute standing ovation. Click here to read a review of More Than A Game.

The documentary also screened at the European Film Market (Germany) in February 2009 and the Silverdocs Film Festival (Washington, D.C.) in June 2009 where the film enjoyed its U.S. premiere as the opening night feature.

The film’s music is by Harvey Mason, Jr. A CD (released September 29) titled Music Inspired by the Film More Than a Game features hip-hop artist Mary J. Blige singing the ballad “Stronger.” (See this music video on YouTube.) Additional artists included on the soundtrack include Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem.

Filming Locations Include Akron, Ohio

Although filmed mainly in Akron, Ohio, where the five boys lived as teenagers, other locations include some amateur and professional footage from their travels around the country to competitions. In addition to the inside of gyms around the Akron area and during competition, the film follows the boys when they’re off the court, too. Viewers can watch them driving around, hanging around, and having fun with each other.

About Lionsgate Entertainment

More Than a Game, released by Lionsgate, in association with Harvey Mason Media and Interscope Records, will be marketed in part by the NBA (National Basketball Association) and LeBron James’s brand partners State Farm, Coca Cola, and Nike.

Lionsgate is a leading next generation filmed entertainment studio specializing in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand, and digitally delivered content.

The copyright of the article Fast Facts About More Than a Game Documentary in Documentary Films is owned by Leslie C. Halpern. Permission to republish Fast Facts About More Than a Game Documentary in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.