The Queen of Basketball

This was so touching.

I don't think the documentary is anything special but the subject really is. Luisa was just a joy to watch and listen to. She was such a light. Her laugh was just the sweetest thing ever. And her story was really interesting too.

This made me smile so even though it wasn't the most fancy documentary I still liked it.

Some documentaries seem to show off, the producers trying to show the world how they have such great new ideas about how documentaries can be made. For me, this detracts from the story; since they're trying to tell me something about real life, when the filmmakers do a bunch of things that distract your attention from the story or the facts, it feels like instead of showing me something, it feels like they're just trying to convince me of a certain point of view. The Queen of Basketball sticks to the facts.

But it tells a story that draws you in: The story of Lucia "Lucy" Harris, whose skill at basketball helped bring attention to Women's basketball before the NCAA was interested, and before there was a WNBA.

Despite Lucy's current habit of twisting her tongue in strange ways during pauses between or at the end of sentences (maybe she has ill-fitting dentures?), I found her to be charming and and not-at-all impressed with her past accomplishments on the basketball court. Very proud of it, but not impressed. It's not false modesty. She played because she loved playing, not because she wanted adulation.

No, the producers aren't worried about impressing with their filmmaking techniques. They trust their audience, and let the record speak for itself.

This mini-documentary format, it's pretty cool, it was really nice to know the story of one of the greatest female basketball players Lucy Harris. I think there should be an award in his honor at the WNBA.

A love story between Lusia and basketball which justifies systematic change to enable women athletes everywhere.

Screenplay...................................... 7 / 10 Interviews........................................8 Visuals................................................ 7 Sound................................................... 6 Editing................................................ 7 Music....................................................... 5 Timeless Utility................................. 8 Total.................................................... 48 / 70 ~= 6.9 (which I rounded to 7) Verdict................................................. Recommended.

This could and should have been longer. Even as a short doc, it could have had a longer duration.

Even considering that, I think that what it does is so powerful that is one of the best of this year nominees for Oscars - 2nd just behind Audible - and I really liked to know about this great woman that didn't have all the opportunities she deserved. It's very well edited and fast paced, but what it differenciates is Lusia's personality. What a charming lady, a winner!

It's really fascinating that every year these docs are so important to discover these stories and putting them in the right place in history. I was really sad when I realised she passed away after this.