Premiere Date: August 16, 2005
Synopsis
The Academy Award-nominated Hardwood is a deeply personal filmic journey by director Hubert Davis, the son of former Harlem Globetrotter Mel Davis. Mel, now a coach for young basketball players in Vancouver, recalls falling in love at first sight with Hubert's mother, a white woman, at a time when racism seemed to make their union impossible. Despite their emotional bonds still resonating over 20 years later — Mel chose to marry a black woman, with whom he also had a son. The filmmaker unites both sides of his family, speaking movingly about the complex web of love, betrayal and family ties that bind them all in this Academy Award-nominated film. Through personal interviews, archival footage and home movies Davis delves into his father's past in the hope of finding his own
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August 15, 2005
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Reviews & Reactions
Average Review
| based on 3 reviews
What a blessing this film was to me. It helped me to see my Father in a whole new light...that despite his shortcomings he provided for me in the best way he knew how.
Thank You for sharing this inspiring and heartfelt story!
Sincerely,
Richard J. Brodmann
Norfolk, VA
by Richard Brodmann
July 1, 2009, 10:47 AM
An amazing film about a non-traditional family, in which the father of two sons of two very different women never entirely left either son, and impacted them both in a very positive way. Mel Davis is a very human figure in what was a larger than life role in the Harlem Globe Trotters. A star in basketball, he made mistakes in life that caused suffering to both his families. But he is at heart a great man, who shared his talents with many young people, including his own. He has fathered two wonderful sons of great strength, compassion, and talent. Both mothers are portrayed not so much as victims of the situation that developed, but as women of strength and character, who happen to share the same triumphant spirit.
You are all to be congratulated on a wonderfully moving portrait of your families. Thank you for sharing it with the world.
by K. Yunker
July 1, 2009, 7:37 PM
I happened upon this film just channel surfing last night (7/1/09). There are myriad "father issues" that generate strong negative and positive emotions/reactions for men and for women when dads have not been who we want them to be as we grow up.
This film spoke to what a family can do to heal if it has the courage and love to try. An amazing film. I'm ordering it to share with family and friends.
by Karen James
July 2, 2009, 12:56 PM