We Could Be King

We Could Be King is a compelling 2014 sports documentary that takes an in-depth look at the troubled public school system in Philadelphia. This gritty, inspiring film features true events experienced by a group of high school students, spotlighting Dontae Angus, Ed Dunn, and Salvatore Henderson, who grapple with escalating educational issues while striving to achieve their aspirations in the game of football.

The narrative is situated in the 2012-2013 school year, a period of great turmoil for the City of Brotherly Love. As a result of a $4 billion school district deficit, 37 schools were shuttered, leaving thousands of students, educators, and employees displaced. Two high schools that were most affected by this budget crisis – Germantown High School and Martin Luther King High School – are at the center of the story. These arch-rival schools are suddenly combined into one, a scenario fraught with escalating tension and inevitable clashes.

Enter Ed Dunn, a 27-year-old volunteer football coach who is assigned with the herculean task of creating a unified, productive team from former arch-rivals. His mission is not just about winning games. It's about imbuing the students with a sense of discipline, teamwork and the power to rise above adversity, fostering a sense of unity in a climate that spells division.

Dontae Angus and Salvatore Henderson are among the students from Martin Luther King High School, who, along with their teammates, must learn to overcome old rivalries and hostility. They're struggling not just with their personal animosities, but also with problems at home and the ongoing socio-economic battles they face every day just to stay afloat. Football is more than just a game for them. It's a lifeline – a beacon of hope that provides structure, a sense of community, and a potential ticket out of the dire circumstances they face daily.

The film captures the very essence of urban American education and the struggle of disadvantaged youths seeking a better life through sheer will, spirit, and unyielding teamwork. Through heart-wrenching personal stories, the film depicts the resilience and determination of these young men, their coach, and their school in a city where education and sports have been brutally disrupted by crippling budget cuts.

Besides the football team's storyline, the documentary also gives us a powerful glimpse into the broken educational system that the young student-athletes must navigate for their futures. They are at the crossroads of adolescence and adulthood, caught amidst a tumultuous merger, coping with inadequate resources, and attempting to keep their dreams alive through the sport they love.

Directed by Judd Ehrlich, We Could Be King is a riveting portrayal of a torn-up education system, the economic imbalance in a major American city, and the perseverance and determination of youths in the face of adversity. It is a stirring example of how sports can offer a ray of hope and become a life-altering platform for individuals who, otherwise, might not have many opportunities at their disposal.

With a poignant and reflective tone, this film crafts a narrative that is both inspiring and heart-breaking, focusing on the strength and character of those who refuse to be defined or defeated by circumstances. Skillful storytelling, combined with raw, cinéma vérité-style footage, offers audiences an intimate and authentic look into the lives of these students, their mentor, and a community grappling with overwhelming difficulties.

The film leaves a profound impact, urging viewers to reflect on the unaddressed issues in our education system and the power of team spirit, resilience, and human connection. Sharply relevant, powerfully documentary, We Could Be King is a crowning achievement in sports documentaries, making the story not just about football, but about the power of hope and community in dire circumstances.