THE HEART OF THE GAME

SILVERDOCS 2006
KICKOFF SCREENING

June 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Narrated by Ludacris, THE HEART OF THE GAME captures the drama and exhilaration of a high school girls' basketball team from Seattle, focusing on their unorthodox coach, Bill Reisler and one extraordinarily talented player, Darnelia Russell. The film chronicles Russell's struggle against external prejudice and internal self-destructiveness, questioning the American obsession with success.

First-time filmmaker Ward Serrill followed Seattle's Roosevelt High School girl's basketball team for seven years starting with the hire of Bill Resler, who immediately exceeds all expectations by creating the hottest high school team. He soon identifies Darnelia Russell, a transfer from inner-city archrival Garfield High School and one of the few black students at the privileged, suburban Roosevelt High. Darnelia's mother wanted to make sure she was on the path to success, and while the young basketball prodigy originally was not interested in playing with so many white people, she proves to be the key to their path to the state championships. Darnelia's life soon takes a different turn, with many struggles, including court battles with a governing body seeking to prevent Darnelia from playing her senior year. While race and class are featured and the film has been compared to HOOP DREAMS, this is first and foremost a sports movie with a great deal of suspense and emotional payoff.

Introduced by Sheila Johnson. Film subjects Bill Reisler and Darnelia Russell to attend.

-Jody Arlington

DIRECTOR BIO

Ward Serrill was the executive producer of the film WILD AMERICA: PROTECTING THE LANDS EXPLORED BY LEWIS AND CLARK, which was narrated by Sissy Spacek and used nationwide by the Sierra Club. Serrill also co-directed and produced BUILDING ONE HOUSE, which was narrated by Robert Redford and landed the film's central character on the OPRAH WINFREY SHOW. Serrill's film ESTHER SHEA: THE BEAR STANDS UP was broadcast on Alaska Public Television and nationally on numerous PBS stations.

Print Source:
Nicolette Aizenberg
Miramax Films
212.219.4143
Nicolette.Aizenberg@miramax.com

6/5 at 7:00 PM

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