DREAM TEAM 1935

SAPNU KOMANDA 1935

By Aigars GRAUBA

ENCORE INFLIGHT LIMITED - as DISTR Airline

Drama - Completed 2012


    • Year of production
    • 2012
    • Genres
    • Drama
    • Countries
    • LATVIA
    • Budget
    • 1 - 3 M$
    • Duration
    • 118 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Aigars GRAUBA
    • Synopsis
    • Based on true events, about the triumph of a team from a largely unknown country at the first European Basketball Chamionship in 1935 in Geneva. An amazing heartwarming true story of impossible odds, improbable heroes and an incredible moment in history.
      After the end of World War One, Europe is still in an uncertain phase. It is unclear whether the nations of Europe and its people will be able to co-exist in harmony. To assist the peace, organizations like the League of Nations are founded in Geneva, Switzerland so that Europe can attempt to adhere to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s principles, such that in future, disputes between nation states are resolved amicably, preferably around a table, or alternatively on the sporting field.
      In the 1920s basketball was just getting known in Europe. But to attract more public attention and to prepare for the 1936 Olympics, which would include basketball for the first time as a competitive sport, FIBA, the International Basketball Federation in Geneva arranged a “dress-rehearsal” competition – the first European Basketball Championship, called EuroBasket 1935.
      Meanwhile, in Latvia there was a core of dedicated and active basketball players. Coach Valdemars Baumanis was confident Latvia could assemble a competitive team to play in Geneva, but he had to overcome numerous hurdles, not the least being the Latvian Sports Committee who felt that any idea of Latvia playing in the games was pure fantasy. The road to Geneva for coach Baumanis and his team was not easy and even when they got there many had neither heard of Latvia or thought it would be incredulous that such a small unknown country could assemble any kind of team, let alone a competitive one.
      Dream Team 1935 – their game made them a team – their spirit made them champions.
      The film is available either in its original language (Latvian) and subtitled or also in English (dubbed).