HOPE one in a billion (2017)

HOPE one in a billion: Directed by Brodje Wemboendja. With Gift Ngoepe, Grant Arbuckle, Chris Ngoepe. This documentary showcases the story of Gift Ngoepe, the first person from Africa to play in the world’s biggest baseball competition, the major league baseball (MLB) in the USA. Gift grew up in a baseball clubhouse in South Africa where his mother worked as a housekeeper. His love for baseball has been developed from an early age in a society where baseball is regarded as a sport for the elite. In spite of the odds Gift kept on persevering. Along his journey, he has inspired young upcoming baseball players from a similar background.

“I love baseball, I love underdog stories, and I enjoy documentaries. I anticipated this feature having the same sort of vibe as one of ESPNu0026#39;s 30 for 30 films. Boy, was I disappointed. The film was just plain boring. Itu0026#39;s too bad, too, because this is an incredible story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe soundtrack was melodramatic, the baseball footage was basically recycled non-action footage of Gift playing in the minor leagues, and instead of using personal interviews to add personal insight into the story, the movie basically WAS one interview after another set to the aforementioned cheesy soundtrack.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIu0026#39;m happy for the young man, and his story deserves attention and applause. Unfortunately, Hope: One in a Billion just wasnu0026#39;t very good.”