Steve James

In these times when racism continues to kill, Steve James’ work is to be reiterated to those who are as yet unfamiliar. This white film director, who lives in Chicago, has extensively and with much engagement filmed documentaries on the black community. Released in France and elsewhere, ‘Hoop Dreams’ met with great success. It relates the story of two young black men who, for a while, are accepted in reputed white schools, for they are famous basketball players. The film offers an account of their experiences, punctuated with letdowns, misery and hope. The powerful work of this American documentary film-maker bears witness, first and foremost, to his political and citizen engagement. Steve James recently completed a new series on the election of the black mayor of Chicago, ‘City So Real’.

In these times when racism continues to kill, Steve James’ work is to be reiterated to those who are as yet unfamiliar. This white film director, who lives in Chicago, has extensively and with much engagement filmed documentaries on the black community. Released in France and elsewhere, ‘Hoop Dreams’ met with great success. It relates the story of two young black men who, for a while, are accepted in reputed white schools, for they are famous basketball players. The film offers an account of their experiences, punctuated with letdowns, misery and hope. The powerful work of this American documentary film-maker bears witness, first and foremost, to his political and citizen engagement. Steve James recently completed a new series on the election of the black mayor of Chicago, ‘City So Real’.