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African-American High School Football Team Documentary, 'Undefeated,' Up For An Oscar

Posted byBy Joe Cohen | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Undefeated Movie Poster

Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary: ‘Undefeated.’

Winning big in football is what matters to some, and for a group of underprivileged African-American teens in Memphis, Tennessee, winning seems a distinct possibility.

Set in the inner-city of Memphis, ‘Undefeated’ follows the Manassas Tigers’ 2009 football season, on- and off-the-field, as they build the foundation to win the first playoff game in the high school’s 110-year history.  In the spring of 2004, Bill Courtney, a former high school football coach-turned lumber salesman, volunteered to play a crucial role at the school, and rebuild the team. When he arrived, only 17 players remained, along with some ragged equipment and a patch of grass masquerading as a practice field. Focused more on fostering responsible young men than winning football games, the football program began resurrecting itself and, in 2009, boasted the most talented team Manassas has ever fielded; a team that seems poised to win the playoff title that has eluded the school since the beginning of it’s history.

A coming-of-age documentary film, ‘Undefeated’ provides audiences an intimate view of an underprivileged group of teens and their inspirational coach, as they attempt to make history.

Directed by Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin.  Starring Bill Courtney(Coach), Montrail “Money” Chavis, O.C., and Coach Mike Ray.

Go to the next page to watch the trailer for this Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary.

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