WHY I'M NOT A BASKETBALL PLAYER, 110min., Israel, Documentary
Directed by Alon Weinstock
A ballad of love, pain and gratitude to basketball and the life around it.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film ?
It was my dream to make a documentary that will try to answer the film tittle. Long time ambition. The option to tell my personal story and to explore my basketball career. To talk about the influence of the orthodox Jewish religion on my life. Make other people identify with my filings.

2. How long it took you to make this film?
The official answer is 20 years of filming and editing. I'll explain:
Since it's an independent film and things wasn't clear to me at the beginning I knew it's gonna take a while and no need to be impatient. The idea came to me in my last official game in Israeli league 1999. I'm asking my coach in the end of the basketball season dinner "why I'm not a basketball player". He answered me, it's in the movie.
Than 2002 groceries tourment. I knew I have to film it and finish the tournament with the trophy. 2004 I wrote a script and start shooting it with my wonderful photographer Roei Roth.
Then life continues and I didn't know how to finish the movie. 2010 I've started to edit it again. After 10 years , on 2022 it was complete. I'm so happy I didn't give up. The film is out and it's a special one.

3. Describe your film in two words
Growing up

4. Biggest obstacle
Stay stick to the main idea of the story from one hand and show the years passing by in the other, watch the perspective changed. To continue edit the project and to stay fresh and loving for the project.

5. My initial reaction to audience reaction

I wanted to hug them. They spoke about their feelings after watching the film and it was special to me . Very close and intimate. For me it's the best, one on one. people share their thoughts about the clash between Jewish religion and basketball, faith, destiny and ambitions. The feedback I got spreads my brain and make me think about the interpretation of things by people that Israel is far away to them. The viewers liked the way the film is moving forward and the editing. It was a pleasure listening to them and to realise that my personal story is touching them and that they can reflect from it to their life . Great filing.

6. When did you realise you want to do this film?
In 1999 when I stopped playing basketball professionally and just finished my film school. I thought that my basketball achievements are not satisfying and what will happened with my film ambition that I just started. What do I take from all this years with basketball? I thought that if I will have answers about my love to the game it will help me in the future. I was right. T

7. What film you watched most time ?
Metzitzim- Israeli calt movie by Uri Zohar and Arik Einstein.
International- Pulp Fiction
Documentary- The kid stays in the picture

8. Actions like this . Interviewing the creator, feedbacks from the people that watch the movie. Recommendation from the organisers of festival. Communication between the creators and his crew with the festival and audience. I'm very happy and impressed from the process you have.
9. Very good . Great platform. Thanks

10. Yogurt with strawberries and granola.
11. I'm filming, editing and publish all the time. I'm thinking about my next one. I almost died last year in the stadium of the team I film and love -Hapoel Tel Aviv. I had a stroke before quarter cup game and the paramedics saved me with a defibrillator.
I thought about using my wonderful footages I shot during the special season and to tell a story about my love to the team. express my gratitude to Hapoel TLV and the people surrounding it. All the volunteers, special people from the crowd, managers etc..

www.Alonweinstock.com