Dear Basketball

Kobe Bryant's Oscar-winning animated short, "Dear Basketball," takes on added resonance with the basketball star's death today. The words of Bryant's poem, going from his childhood dreams to his retirement from the NBA, going through an arena tunnel towards the lights, of having given all that he can give, of letting go and saying goodbye, now, has a doubled meaning. It's an emotional wallop for his fans, as well as friends and family of all nine killed in the helicopter crash. Even from a more distant perspective, of one who occasionally enjoys the game and, consequently, witnessed Bryant's career, it's a touching poem and picture. None other than John Williams providing the score assists effectively in this regard, as does the animation recalling Bryant's childhood memories and focusing on him in highlights from his professional game on the court. Animating the beads of sweat is especially impressive.

Of course, one of the most remarked upon aspects when Bryant won the Oscar, when the MeToo movement was center stage on the heels of the reports regarding Harvey Weinstein, were the past allegation of rape made against Bryant and his subsequent arrest, the dropping of charges and the settlement. I never closely followed that case and don't care to discuss its details, nor its legal, moral and political ramifications, but I do think the media coverage of it and reactions from fans then, echoed again today by scale in the remembrances of his life and mourning of his death, points to how thoroughly athletes have become heroic, even legendary, figures in the eyes of many--especially children, as described by Bryant himself when he was a child dreaming of himself becoming like the heroes pictured on the posters of his wall and the videos of the games they played. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson as the role models of his upbringing, Bryant himself as one for another generation. I don't mention this in a pejorative sense, either; arguably, it's a hopeful and healthy alternative to past valorizing of war. That kid in the room dreaming of becoming an athlete adored by others, pretending scoring buzzer-beating shots to win the big game, idolizing the new champions of their age and wanting to become that of the next generation. That kid could be anyone and is a great many children today across the world. "Dear Basketball" captures this, and it's a poignant elegy.

I saw this back then and then saw it today after the heartbreaking passing of Kobe. He was a true hero of The game. A short that definitely deserved the Oscar.

Kobe Bryant's words describes in personal flashbacks : The gratitude, the love for game, the proud to represent the same shared spirit of success around the years, with his fans and country. The life, our life without witnesses is a kind of dream. A one that have to become real until the clock stops. Who knows? The time to love, to go, to rest, to grow up or just to thank.

Then the humbles traces of Glenn Keane come over Kobe's words. Few colours but always brighted by the warm voice of a grateful Kobe. Some seconds flow like a game clock and Keane play back to back, to Kobe's words. Sometimes the complex drawings appears when the last Kobe's moments appears playing on the Court or he had growed. Others are just like a little boy sketches and strokes, just living the emotion of respresent the idea that we'd enjoyed in our childhood: Play, have fun and smile.

Finally, John Williams conducts the heart of two men in the play court. Reads any creative and emotional moment, the movements between Bryant and Keane looking for success until the farewell. Williams is the coach, seeks the moments to take timeouts, no matter what come next, is Kobe's time. The chords touches the heart such a Mother listens to her kids, waiting for the time Kobe's call the game as the same way he love his family and parents. Maybe in this day, seems to be words to thank every one who had witness his life. Finally Williams, repeat in a triunfal and powerful chord, the crowd, success until the farewell.

Is an amazing short film, powerful and lovely. A perfect way to honor a great player and show us the way of built our dreams since childhood.

In Memoriam of Kobe Bryant's sport words, the Academy Award 2018 Winner - Dear Basketball...

"There is power in understanding the Journey of Others to help create your Own".

'DEAR BASKETBALL': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A 6-minute animated short film in which NBA legend Kobe Bryant describes his love for basketball, over his entire 20-year career (dating back to his childhood), through an interview on the eve of his retirement. The short is a depiction of his poem 'Dear Basketball', and it's accompanied with music by legendary film composer John Williams. It was directed by Glen Keane and written by Bryant. I'm not a fan of basketball (or any sport for that matter), and I definitely don't look up to Kobe Bryant. The short is well made though; the animation is beautiful, and the music is of course really powerful and moving. It inspired me, even though I don't care at all for it's subject matter. That's the sign of a good film in my opinion.

Being a Kobe Bryant fan when I was in high school, I enjoyed watching this animated short. I thought the film, which is based off a poem written by Kobe, was inspiring and reminiscent of his successful career. The hand drawn animation style was well done; it added an imaginative look to the short. I would recommend this film to any fans of Kobe or basketball in general.