Q Ball

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source: Q Ball

A worthwhile look at the inner workings of a basketball league that gives a meaningful existence to prisoners within the San Quentin Prison. The documentary follows around a handful of players who are playing for the San Quentin Warriors and working towards winning the final game against staff of the Golden State Warriors. The main star is Harry Smith who is the most talented player and about to be paroled with dreams of playing for some iteration of the professional Warriors. The documentary is well done in going through each players story and how they handle being inside of prison. The focus is mainly on the players rather than the crimes they committed although that is discussed and 1 mother of a slain son is interviewed a couple of times. At times, I felt as though there isn't enough examination on the unjust criminal system or the brutal crimes some of them may have committed but that is not the purpose here. The purpose is to show the outlet of basketball and how much it means to these human beings who can act free while on the court playing the game they love. Add a star for those who love basketball. Reduce a star if there is no empathy towards those committed of crimes although i'd suggest having some for our fellow human beings who made varying levels of mistakes.

I was on the fence about Q-Ball initially, but it is well worth the investment. I am first and foremost a fan of basketball, and have witnessed the therapeutic work in the lives of people drawn together by the love of the game. At the same time, someone dear to me was incarcerated in California for several years, and I feel compelled to know / understand more about "life on the inside" as a way of connecting with him. This is not an "in depth" analysis of the criminal justice system, but you are introduced to real people who have done bad things and how they are trying to live with themselves and the consequences of their actions... while they interact inside the San Quentin basketball league. I was impressed with the access the film crew must have been granted, and the amount of time they spent with the small handful of players who are the focus of this piece. I have my own thought about "punishment vs. rehabilitation" as it applies to the prison system, but this is not really a controversial piece, or designed to steer the viewer towards a specific agenda. It does provide some insight into the human condition, and the part that hope plays in our life. Well done!