EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The director of the Oscar-winning documentary "The Queen of Basketball" discusses its success with "Your Morning" on Spectrum News 1.
Canadian filmmaker and director Ben Proudfoot said the film highlights basketball icon Lusia "Lucy" Harris. "The Queen of Basketball won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short."
“If there is anyone out there that still doubts whether there’s an audience for female athletes, let this Academy Award be the answer," said Proudfoot during his speech while accepting the award during the Oscars pre-show.
Harris grew up in a small town in Mississippi. Soon enough, she rose to fame as one of the first pioneers and stars in women’s basketball.
The documentary explains Harris’ legendary success, especially being the first woman of color honored in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the first women to score a basket in the Olympics.
Harris was also the first and only woman to be drafted to the NBA. However, she didn't play in the NBA because she decided to settle down back in her hometown to start a family.
Shaquille O’Neal and Steph Curry were among the executive producers of the documentary. Having two of the biggest names in basketball helped promote the short documentary tremendously and contributed to the film’s success.
“I think it just shows their character and their integrity that they would use their platform to lift up this story,” Proudfoot said.
The documentary’s goal was to honor Harris and bring more awareness to women in sports and the WNBA.
Proudfoot called on President Joe Biden in his Oscar speech to help release U.S. basketball player Brittany Griner from Russian custody. She was arrested in Russia this past January for possession of marijuana.
“I think we can all agree that if Brittany Griner was a man, it would be treated differently in the media,” Proudfoot said regarding Griner's arrest. "The government would probably treat it differently."
Women’s basketball has many disparities compared to men’s basketball. Proudfoot believes that creating more films honoring the hard work of women athletes will further conversations about inequities within the industry.
"I have learned a lot about basketball," he said. "I’ve learned a lot about the inequity in that spor,t especially between men and women."
It’s very common for players in the WNBA to play overseas in their offseason in order to make more money.
Meanwhile, players in the NBA make higher salaries and many do not have to play during their offseason.
Harris passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 18. She was able to see the documentary before her passing but never got to celebrate the film's Oscar nomination and award.
“It’s important now more than ever to make sure her legacy lives on,” Proudfoot said, regarding Harris’ family's wishes after her passing.
You can watch "The Queen of Basketball" on the Breakwater Studios website.