After making a name for himself with the Oscar-nominated "Hoop Dreams," considered one of the best sports documentaries of all time, filmmaker Steve James followed it up with sports-oriented films like "Prefontaine," "Passing Glory" and "Joe And Max." Last year saw the release of his remarkable crime documentary "The Interrupters" which was widely praised, earning a DGA nomination and landing on one Playlist writer's favourite films of 2011. However, in 2012, James is returning to the sports world with a more critical eye in "Head Games," a look at the growing issue of concussion and its long term medical effects on atheletes.
Undoubtedly a fascinating subject on a massive grey area (no pun intended) in the sports science world, the first trailer for the doc has been unveiled promising an insightful, shocking look at the phenomenon which is inspired by the novel of the same title by Christopher Nowinski — a former wrestler who devoted himself to studying concussion in football and who also features in this project. Here's the full synopsis:
HEAD GAMES contrasts eye-opening evidence and cutting-edge science on head trauma from the nation’s leading medical experts with first-hand accounts from athletes, coaches, and parents who share their personal struggles in dealing with the devastating aftermath of these injuries, while treading the difficult balance between sports excellence and basic self-preservation. Fueled by a ‘leave everything on the field’ culture, the devastating and long-term effects of this silent epidemic are only recently becoming clear.
The doc is slated for a very limited release this September with audiences able to request a screening in their hometown through Tugg, and it's certainly one we'll be keeping an eye out for. [ThompsonOnHollywood]
