Assane from the ESPN documentary “Elevate” is now the starting center for the University of Virginia. (Photo Courtesy of Variance Films)
The journey from adolescence to college has long been a motif explored by the movies.
In ESPN’s newest sport’s documentary, “Elevate,” the same motif is explored, but this time through the eyes of a group of Senegal teens as they hit the backboards hoping to gain a prestigious scholarship at one of America’s premiere prep schools.
The four people “Elevate” features go to SEEDS Academy, a school in Dakar, Senegal that gathers the best young players from across West Africa to take part in a strenuous program of academics and athletic training.
The film’s director, Anne Buford, does a good job spreading her run time through the four players that the film highlights, Assane, Byago, Dethie and Aziz (last names have to be omitted to adhere to NCAA headlines).
Assane, a seven-footer from Senegal, is the first player to leave the country and head to America for prep school. Assane is an introverted character with a humble smile that is just as surprised at winter temperatures as he is when he finds out about hot dogs. Assane heads to the South Kent School in Connecticut to play basketball.
Buford excels once again, showing how different America is from Senegal.
Everything from Assane’s hulking stature compared to his tiny room and the small prayer mat he has in his room shows just how much he is out of his element.
While the accommodations and cafeteria may not be to his preference, on the court Assane is undeniably in his element. In fact, all of the Senegal players featured in “Elevate” are astounding on the court.
Buford’s “Elevate” is a compelling documentary that would be just as interesting if it was not about sports. With story lines that relate to everything from academics to family issues and injuries, those who like a little meat to their sports movie will love the 81-minute feature.
Not to under shine Assane, the film’s other three players have just as interesting of stories.
Byago, the shortest of the four players at 6 feet 2 inches, has a touching story about his quest to find help for his mother who is suffering from an unknown condition that has paralyzed one side of her body.
In one scene when Byago learns that his Visa papers got denied, “Elevate” adapts to a new angle showing raw emotion as Byago uncontrollably weeps on the floor of his home, thinking that his dreams had been crushed.
For a rather short sport documentary, “Elevate” is certainly the best sports movie to come out this year.
While the story is sometimes stagnant and the stakes don’t come across as high enough, “Elevate” is still a slam dunk worthy of seeing.
“Elevate” opens to audiences this Friday.
