SYNOPSIS

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Based on the real-life story of the Antetokounmpo family, Rise follows Charles and Vera Antetokounmpo as they emigrate from Nigeria to Greece in search of a better life, forced to leave their eldest son behind. Living under the constant threat of deportation and struggling to gain citizenship, the family remains resilient through their "if one scores, the whole team scores" mantra. When brothers Giannis and Thanasis discover basketball, they find more than a game—they find a path to security. The film captures their journey from selling sunglasses on the streets of Athens to Giannis entering the 2013 NBA Draft, eventually leading to a historic legacy where three brothers become NBA champions.

 

PROJECT DETAILS

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Original title: Rise

Length: 113 min

Country: USA, Greece

Produced by: Walt Disney Pictures, Faliro House Productions

Original language: English, Greek

Shooting format: Digital 4K / Color

Streamer: Disney+

 

CREDITS​

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Director: Akin Omotoso

Producer: Bernie Goldmann

Executive Producers: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Douglas S. Jones

Cinematography: Kabelo Thathe

Editor: Vuyani Sondlo

Music: Ré Olunuga

Cast: Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Uche Agada, Ral Agada, Jaden Osimuwa, Manish Dayal, Taylor Nichols, Maximiliano Hernández

 

ACCOLADES

Hollywood Music in Media Awards (2022): Nominated: Best Original Score — Streamed Live Action Film (Ré Olunuga).

Critical Reception: Certified "Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, with particular praise for Akin Omotoso’s sincere direction and the chemistry of the lead cast.