A Kid from Coney Island

Not only does this film highlight the rise, fall, and resurrection of a notable basketball figure, but it candidly captures the delicate moments of Marbury's wide-ranging influence. His life and story have had an impact on his family, his community, basketball culture, China, and even the next generation. A Kid from Coney Island offers positive, powerful messages about never forgetting where you come from, giving back to your community, embracing the unknown, and the strength that can come from a solid support system. It's likely to resonate especially with young men/teenagers, athletes, and inner city kids in need of inspiration. While it's all too typical to see the stories in the media about inner city kids who have no father and/or family support, Marbury's story provides a positive counter-stereotype. Here we see a positive father-son dynamic; a nurturing, supportive family; and the positive and negative effects of community support.

Like Spike Lee's He Got Game (which is loosely based on Marbury's story), A Kid from Coney Island highlights the positive effects that basketball can have on disenfranchised communities and young men of color. With raw transparency, this documentary depicts the beauty of a setback or meltdown. It shows how making the brave choice to start again led Marbury to a place of happiness and peace, in a place and in a way that he never imagined possible. And it shows that, after a downfall, if you get back up and try again, you just may find yourself on the path toward the greatest moments of your life.