Watch Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters

Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters is a 2017 documentary film that highlights basketball’s growing influence on the African continent. The film features some of the biggest names in basketball, including NBA legends like Dikembe Mutombo and Hakeem Olajuwon, as well as current stars like Chris Paul. The film explores the role that basketball plays as a unifying force in Africa, highlighting the sport’s ability to bring people together and help them transcend cultural and linguistic differences. The title of the film is drawn from the African philosophy of ubuntu, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all people and the importance of community.

Throughout the film, viewers are taken on a tour of the African continent, visiting countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. Through interviews with players, coaches, and fans, the film explores the unique challenges and opportunities that basketball presents in each of these countries.

One of the recurring themes of the film is the immense impact that basketball can have on the lives of young people in Africa. Many of the players that are featured in the film come from impoverished backgrounds, and basketball offers them a way out of poverty and a chance to achieve their dreams. The film also highlights the efforts of organizations like the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program and the nonprofit Hoops 4 Hope to help young people in Africa realize their full potential through the game of basketball.

Another important theme of the film is the growth of African basketball and its increasing importance on the global stage. The film examines the ways in which African players and coaches have made their mark on the NBA and other international leagues, and the potential for basketball to become a major cultural export for the continent.

Perhaps most importantly, the film emphasizes the power of basketball to promote understanding and friendship between cultures. Through emotive black-and-white footage, we can see the raw emotion and zeal for the game in kids and adults alike who are smiling in cities, suburbs, and rural areas around the African continent. Players from the USA observe the passion and determination of their African counterparts play through tempestuous weather conditions in makeshift courts.

Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters is a beautifully shot and powerfully emotive film that underscores the unifying force of basketball and the importance of ubuntu in African culture. The film is a vivid reminder of the transformative power of sports and the profound impact that they can have on individuals and communities around the world. The documentary film was directed by Taylor Sharp, and produced under the umbrella of the documentary film production company Farfromrest Films. Without a doubt, Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters is a must-watch film for anyone interested in basketball, Africa, or the potential of sports as a force for social change.

Hoops Africa: Ubuntu Matters is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.8.