Kristian Ferrell
Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' is an animated short film based on a poem he wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015. The film, which is just over 5 minutes long, serves as a retirement announcement and a love letter to the game of basketball. It follows Bryant's journey from a 6-year-old boy falling in love with the sport to becoming a five-time NBA champion. 'Dear Basketball' won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018, making Bryant the first professional athlete to win an Oscar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film name | Dear Basketball |
| Genre | Animation, Short, Biography |
| Duration | 5 minutes and 22 seconds to 6 minutes |
| Year | 2017 |
| Rating | 7.4 on IMDB, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Oscar for Best Animated Short |
| Director | Glen Keane |
| Music | John Williams |
| Writer and Narrator | Kobe Bryant |
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What You'll Learn
'Dear Basketball' is a short film
Dear Basketball is a short film with a runtime of around 5-6 minutes. It is an animated film written and narrated by Kobe Bryant, directed and animated by Glen Keane, and scored by John Williams. The film is based on a poem Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in November 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.
The film depicts Bryant's love for the game, which began when he was a child. It starts with him making a dunk as the game clock is running out, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He then says, "Dear Basketball," and reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. Bryant describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give his all to the game, from his "mind, body, spirit, and soul." He explains that as a six-year-old boy, he only saw himself running out of the tunnel and onto the court, and so he ran up and down every court, chasing every loose ball.
Due to his Achilles heel injury in 2013, Bryant knew he only had one more NBA season left in him. With a heavy heart, he comes to terms with his retirement, accepting that it is time to say goodbye to the game he loves. He ends the film by claiming that no matter what he does next, he will always be that kid with the rolled-up socks and a ball in his hands.
The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards, making Bryant the first professional athlete to win an Oscar. The film was also the first Oscar win for Keane, a veteran Disney animator who experimented with new techniques, such as animating sweat. Dear Basketball is a touching tribute to Bryant's career and a powerful message about passion and perseverance.
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It is Kobe Bryant's love letter to basketball
Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball" is a love letter to the sport, written in the form of a poem. In it, Bryant expresses his deep love and passion for the game, which began when he was just six years old, rolling up his dad's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. This love letter is a farewell to the sport as he announces his retirement from basketball.
The poem beautifully captures Bryant's dedication and commitment to the game. He describes how he gave his all—his mind, body, spirit, and soul—to the sport. He ran up and down every court, chasing after every loose ball because that's what you do when someone makes you feel as alive as basketball made him feel.
Bryant's love letter is not just about his passion for the game but also about the reciprocal nature of their relationship. He acknowledges that basketball gave him his Laker dream and that he will always love it for that. However, he also recognizes that his body can no longer take the strain of the sport due to his Achilles heel injury in 2013, and so, with a heavy heart, he must say goodbye:
> "My heart can take the pounding
> My mind can handle the grind
> But my body knows it's time to say goodbye."
"Dear Basketball" is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and love for the sport that shaped his life. It is a testament to the power of basketball in his life and the impact it had on him, both on and off the court. The poem is a reminder of the joy and fulfillment that can be found in pursuing one's passion, and it has inspired others to reflect on their own relationships with the people and things that matter to them.
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The film is animated
Dear Basketball is an animated film. It is a short, biographical film that was written and narrated by Kobe Bryant and directed and animated by Glen Keane, with music by John Williams. The film is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball. The film was released in 2017, two years after the letter was published.
The animated short film depicts Bryant's love for basketball, which began when he was a child. It starts with him making a dunk, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He then says, "Dear Basketball", and reminisces about his childhood, rolling his father's tube socks and shooting imaginary game-winning shots. Bryant describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give everything from his "mind, body, spirit and soul".
Due to his Achilles heel injury in 2013, Bryant knew he only had one more NBA season left in him. With a heavy heart, he comes to terms with this and accepts that it is time to let go of basketball. He ends the film by claiming that no matter what he does next, he will always be that kid with the rolled-up socks and a ball in his hands.
The film is approximately 5 minutes and 22 seconds long and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. It was the first Oscar win for both Bryant and Keane.
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It is based on a poem by Bryant
Kobe Bryant's "Dear Basketball" is a short animated film based on a poem he wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015. The poem serves as a retirement announcement and a love letter to the sport, expressing his deep passion and dedication to the game since he was a child.
The film, released in 2017, is directed and animated by veteran Disney animator Glen Keane and features music by John Williams. It brings Bryant's poem to life, visually and emotionally, capturing the essence of his words. The animation style is innovative, with Keane experimenting with new techniques to enhance the storytelling.
In the film, Bryant narrates his poem, beginning with him making a dunk as the game clock runs out, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He reminisces about his childhood, recalling how he fell in love with the game and how it inspired him to give his all. He describes his unwavering dedication to the sport and how he played with heart and hustle.
Bryant's poem reflects on his journey as a basketball player, from his early dreams to the reality of having to retire due to injury. He acknowledges the impact the sport has had on his life and expresses his gratitude for the opportunities it has provided. The poem is a heartfelt farewell to the game, and Bryant ends it with a poignant declaration of his everlasting love for basketball: "Love you always, Kobe."
"Dear Basketball" is more than just a retirement announcement; it is a powerful and emotional tribute to the sport that shaped Bryant's life. The film's success is a testament to the impact of Bryant's poetry, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences beyond his athletic achievements.
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The film won an Oscar
Kobe Bryant's Oscar-winning short film, "Dear Basketball", is an animated telling of his poem with the same name. The film is approximately six minutes long and was released in 2017. It is based on a letter Bryant wrote for The Players' Tribune in 2015, announcing his retirement from basketball.
"Dear Basketball" won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. This was the first Oscar win for any professional athlete and the first for veteran Disney animator Glen Keane, who directed and animated the film.
The film depicts Bryant's love for the game, which began when he was a child. It starts with him making a dunk, winning the game for the Los Angeles Lakers, and then goes on to reminisce about his childhood and his journey in the sport. The poem describes how his love for basketball inspired him to give his all – from his "mind, body, spirit and soul".
The Oscar-winning film is a powerful and lovely tribute to a great player, honouring the way he built his dreams since childhood. It is a splendid trip across personal memories, depicting the meanings of life and not just pieces of success. The film also showcases the emotions of a sportsman coming to terms with his retirement and accepting the fact that it is time to let go of his passion.
The music for "Dear Basketball" was composed by John Williams, who is best known for his work on "Star Wars". Williams and Keane were friends with Bryant, and they joined the project to support him.
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Frequently asked questions
The short film is 5 minutes and 22 seconds long.
It is about Kobe Bryant's love for the game, which began when he was a child, and his decision to retire from basketball.
The film was written and narrated by Kobe Bryant, directed and animated by Glen Keane, and scored by John Williams.
Yes, Dear Basketball won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018.
Dear Basketball was previously available to watch for free on the dearbasketball.com website and on Vimeo, but it seems to have been taken down.
