Salaam Dunk (2011) directed by David Fine, is a fascinating film about a college basketball program in Northern Iraq. A young U.S. professor teaches at an American University in the Kurdish area of Iraq. He begins a basketball program, which has enormous obstacles before it. Women's sports are often forbidden, or at least discouraged, within Iraqi culture. The young women are unaccustomed to any serious physical activity, let alone a rough sport like basketball. This school is open to students from all parts of Iraq, so there's an inherent tension between Arab and Kurdish cultures. (The students are permitted to speak only English. You can agree or disagree about whether this is appropriate, but it's the only common language between students of the two cultures, and, of course, it's the only language spoken by many of their instructors.)
Still, despite these barriers, a women's basketball program exists within the college. We follow the progress of the third season of the team's trials and triumphs.
The film is very moving. Almost any documentary about a competition will be interesting. But, given the limited options these women have faced, and will face, Salaam Dunk is all the more touching. Also, of course, every mention of the destruction of Baghdad is painful to those of us who think the war against Iraq was a huge and terrible disgrace.
Still, these women are young, they are resilient, and they are determined athletes who have formed themselves into a true team. The benefits of athletic participation, especially with a good and caring coach, are fully displayed in this movie.
We saw Salaam Dunk on the large screen at the Little Theatre as part of the Rochester Women's History Film Series 2013. It will work very well on DVD.
Still, despite these barriers, a women's basketball program exists within the college. We follow the progress of the third season of the team's trials and triumphs.
The film is very moving. Almost any documentary about a competition will be interesting. But, given the limited options these women have faced, and will face, Salaam Dunk is all the more touching. Also, of course, every mention of the destruction of Baghdad is painful to those of us who think the war against Iraq was a huge and terrible disgrace.
Still, these women are young, they are resilient, and they are determined athletes who have formed themselves into a true team. The benefits of athletic participation, especially with a good and caring coach, are fully displayed in this movie.
We saw Salaam Dunk on the large screen at the Little Theatre as part of the Rochester Women's History Film Series 2013. It will work very well on DVD.
