“Hoop Dreams” is a film from the short program, currently playing at Tribeca Festival 2022. It’s a poetic short, one defined by contemplation and love. No, it’s not about basketball, as many might assume, but is about, of all things, hoop earrings. It’s about a little girl (Madison Southerland), lacking confidence, who worships her mother’s (Torin Ashtun) confidence, which she believes are brought on by large, golden hoop earring’s that she wears. This girl, Savannah, doesn’t covet the earrings — she idolizes them and what they can bring. Her imagination, and what she is inspired to do because of these earrings, are what moves the short along.
“Hoop Dreams” has several strengths, notable its animation and coloration, and its narration. We see things that Savannah wishes she could do (the most striking public speaking, specifically her poetry), and the cinematography by Drew Bienemann and the art direction by Joseph Jin is superb. Pinks, blues, and whites color this film; Savannah imagines all the things she could do, climbing bold ladders silhouetted by pink and white skies, with the sparkle of her mother’s gold earrings pushing her along.
Childhood Dreams Drawn in Vibrant Color
The film is sweet, because it takes the childhood innocence of thinking your parents can do it all and combines this with a coming-of-age package that is relatable. Who hasn’t thought they could do it all if they just possessed this one thing (an item, courage, willpower, etc.)? And Kasey Elise Walker, who writes and directs this short, brings the elements together succinctly and powerfully. Without preaching, she brings a tale of motherly love and daughterly dreams. And though Savannah stumbles and falls during this film, it’s not the message we take away. Trying is half the battle. As is acceptance. A closing shot between she and her mother is the stuff that good indie film is made of.
The acting is good all around, and the scene stealers have to be Southerland, who plays Savannah with heart, spunk, and drive, and Walker, who pours passionate poetry and heart all over this film. It’s a portrait: Southerland provides the visuals while Walker provides the voice. The whole short is spoken with a sense of poetic rhyme that is at once bold yet subtle. It lets us into Savannah’s world with ease and grace. It helps that the visuals are just as powerful as the narrative; you can’t help but feel for Savannah during the film, and feel for the bond she has with her family.
A Good Indie Short
All-in-all this is a good film. It’s a good length for a short at under ten minutes, and is a great vehicle for its director to use her poetry to tell a grander story. The acting by Southerland, Ashtun, and others is apt, and the film makes you feel the heart of the story with ease. It’s bright spot is its coloration; and mixing live action shots with childish, almost cartoony bright paper sets drives home the point Walker is trying to make. If you’re looking for a good short that is inspirational and artistic, you’d be hard pressed to do better.
“Hoop Dreams” is currently doing rounds in this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
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