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Saturday night, fans lined up outside of the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center to see filmmaker Spike Lee’s latest slam dunk doc, Kobe Doin’ Work. The film, screening as part of the 2009 Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival, follows the recent NBA MVP and Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, as his team battles the San Antonio Spurs in a late-season game with major playoff implications. Lee takes an unprecedented look at what it’s like for the basketball sensation to have “just another day at the office”—following his every step and shot from the moment he arrives at the Los Angeles Staples Center, to when he drives off with his wife and daughters.

Tribeca Film Festival co-founder Jane Rosenthal introduced last night’s film, giving a warm welcome to the director. Rosenthal expressed the Festival’s excitement for Lee, a distinguished New York filmmaker, to have a film at the festival for the first time. Stepping onto the stage, he was welcomed with roaring applause from a star-studded audience including NFL Players Mario Williams and Chad Johnson, and actor Michael Ealy (Miracle at St. Anna).

Lee gave shout outs to his award winning crew—cinematographer Matthew Libatique, editor Barry Alexander Brown and composer Bruce Hornsby. The film is as cinematically skilled as any of Lee’s films. With the use of thirty cameras, tightly crafted editing, and a fantastic soundtrack, the viewer gets a front row seat and backstage pass. One has never experienced a game from so many (new) angles.

After the introduction, Lee grabbed an empty seat in the middle of the theater next to Hornsby, laughing and making comments throughout the screening. He just happened to sitting in the row in front of me, and he was clearly enjoying the game all over again.

Bryant’s voice narrates the film, with commentary from an interview done by Lee. His voice is sincere and inspiring, as he gives insight into the reasons behind some of his most hidden and anticipated decisions on and off the court. And he gets even more insight from Kobe himself.

An obvious treat for basketball fans, the film is also an entertaining introduction for those who don’t know much about the sport. It’s about passion and respect, teamwork and competition, winning and losing—all metaphors for life. It’s easy to see why the game of basketball is a sport that can be both played and enjoyed by anyone—from the kid on the street to the President of the United States.  

This is a rare opportunity to witness both a legendary filmmaker and a legendary basketball player at the top of their game.
 

Kobe Doin’ Work screens throughout the Festival. Tickets are still available for the Thursday night (4/30) screening.

Read more Festival Q&As.