Forever Young

Nick Young, sedicesima scelta del draft 2007 dei Washington Wizards, è un guardia di 198 cm dotata di un talento cristallino, di un atletismo esplosivo e di un sorriso contagioso. La sua prima stagione NBA è caratterizzata da errori banali, lampi di genio e sprazzi di talento che fanno di lui uno dei prospetti più interessanti dell'intera lega. Su un campo di basket Nick ha pochi limiti, ha quel dono raro di far sembrar facile una giocata impossibile e riesce a farlo col sorriso e l'incoscienza di un ragazzo di 22 anni. Purtroppo, la vita di Nick Young è un insieme di dolore, rabbia, sofferenza e violenza che hanno portato la sua famiglia a un passo dallo sfaldarsi. Ma la sua storia è anche densa di speranza, orgoglio, amore e voglia di ricominciare. Nel 1991, a Los Angeles, Charles Jr, il fratello maggiore di Nick, viene assassinato da un membro dei Blood (gang rivale dei Crips, bande che hanno tenuto sotto scacco la città di Los Angeles per anni). Nick era sconvolto, l'altro fratello, John, non ha retto al dolore e si è chiuso in un mondo tutto suo, i genitori, invece, hanno dovuto stringere i denti, cercando aiuto in Gesù per tenere insieme una famiglia distrutta. Nick non aveva solo perso il suo fratellone; aveva smarrito la voglia di vivere e non riusciva a reagire all'urlo di dolore, a superare il ricordo di quella telefonata della polizia che invitava i suoi genitori a correre all'ospedale, non riusciva nemmeno a frequentare la scuola. La sua testa era piena di problemi, e nei corridoi del liceo vedeva ragazzi della sua età indossare bandane rosse, segno di riconoscimento dei bloods, di chi uccise suo fratello. Nick ha abbandonato 2 licei prima di trovare la forza di reagire. Ha avuto la sua seconda possibilità alla Cleveland High School, dove ha trovato in Andre Chevalier un allenatore capace di scuoterlo, e dove, aiutato dai professori del liceo, è diventato parte di un programma destinato ad aiutare i ragazzi con difficoltà di apprendimento; Nick non è stupido, ha solo bisogno di più tempo per apprendere determinati concetti. Dan Forer, giornalista con 30 anni di esperienza, ha prodotto e realizzato un film documentario sulla vita di Nick. Il progetto si chiama "Second Chance Season", e racconta la vita di Nick affrontando temi sociali importanti, con un particolare occhio di riguardo alla giustizia e alla riabilitazione. Dan Forer, regista debuttante e indipendente, già acclamato dal LA Times e dal Washington Post per la realizzazione del film, ha lavorato 4 anni ipotecando la casa per poter completare il suo lavoro. L'abbiamo raggiunto per parlare del film, di Nick e delle sue sensazioni. Ci è sembrato più giusto lasciare in inglese il suo racconto.
Francesco Casati: Dan, could you tell us about the production of the movie and about how the film was born? Dan Forer: The movie making took about four years, a little less than half million dollar and it was a long slow journey. We followed him (Nick Young) from his junior year of high school to his being drafted into the NBA.
FC: Second Chance Season is an independent movie, how did you succeed in covering the production costs? DF: We covered the production cost with private financing. The movie is going to be released most likely in theatres and then on television and then on DVD after the NCAA Final Four. Hopefully it’s going to come out here in the United States this Spring or next Fall. It will be released after the college season is done and before the NBA Playoffs begins or just prior to the start of next season.
FC: Have you been inspired by other movies? DF: Of course, we’ve been inspired by ‘Hoops Dreams’, ‘Hoosiers” and “Through the Fire.” There have been many wonderful sports movies, many documentaries that inspired us to do this film.
FC: This movie is about a true story, full of passion and pain. How did this movie change your life? DF: It changed my life and made me revaluate my feelings about the rehabilitation of young criminals. When I meet the young man who committed the crime, who murdered Nick’s brother, he wasn’t at all what I expected and it showed me what rehabilitation can do for a young person when it is handled properly.
FC: Charles Jr. was killed by a gang, which for many years controlled the city. How is the gang situation nowadays? DF: I wish I could tell you that it has changed a lot but I’m not sure that it has. I think gangs are a problem in many U.S cities and unfortunately remain a problem here in Los Angeles also.
FC: I want to know your vision about restorative justice and juvenile rehabilitation. DF: My feelings regarding restorative justice is that it can not work for all young criminals, but it can work wonderfully for those who are open to changing their lives and being rehabilitated. I have met many young people who made tragic mistakes when they were adolescents. They got into the right program with the right people, they came to understand their mistakes, and are doing everything possible to live their lives in a proper, responsible manner and want be very constructive members of society.
FC: How is Nick's career going in Washington? DF: He is loving life in the NBA. Gilbert Arenas had a knee surgery and this means that Nick has to step up quite a bit. Instead of coming along slowly, his minutes are going to double, and his production has to double. His minutes improved, his points improved and he told me that, for the first time, he feels like he belongs to the NBA. We are hoping that he will able to earn a position in the NBA All-Star Game, in the Rookie-Sophomore game. It would be wonderful to see him in the Slam Dunk Competition but that is usually reserved for veterans.
FC: Thanks to your movie, Nick can become a positive model for young people. There is much hope in your movie, which feelings give you all this? DF: I feel great about that because I believe Nick is a magnificent role model for young people. He faced many obstacles, a lot of people in his shoes would quit, but he did not. He just kept a positive attitude and kept working hard. He had to make things workout and they did. I think it is a wonderful message to be sent to young people who meet difficulties in their lives.
FC: Could you talk about Andre Chevalier, he looks like an extraordinary person. DF: He is a magnificent person. Andre Chevalier was a Division One basketball player at a school called Cal State University Northridge. He was leading score there. He is extremely tough and has high expectations for all his players. He doesn’t let them get away with too much and five of Nick’s teammates ended up earning college scholarships. I think a lot of that can be attributed to Andre.
FC: How is the situation with Young's family nowadays? DF: His brother John, who suffered severe depression following the murder is doing better, but I don’t know if he will ever be totally capable of living on his own. But, he is much better then he was two years ago when we shot the movie. The family still lives in their apartment but, in the next few months, they will move into a modest new house that Nick purchased for them. The father continues to work as a truck driver.
FC: Did Nick's father loose his faith in Jesus? DF: No, not at all.
FC: “Junior let's go out and play” are the words pronounced by Nick everytime before going out on the court. What does this ritual represent for Nick? DF: Nick and his brother were very, very close. He took Nick with him everywhere. He took him on dates. He took him bowling. He took him to the movies. And, most importantly he took him to the park every day. Nick wanted to impress his older brother and tried to be as tough as he could. When Nick lost him, he was a very big part of Nick’s life. Nick said he buried his sorrow and kept his brother alive by talking to him, especially before basketball games; he feels his brother is there for inspiration, for hope, for strength and that’s why he invites him to join him before he goes out on the court by saying, ”Junior,let's go out and play.” I think it is just the way some guys have of getting taped, trying their shoes or putting on their uniform in a certain way; it's just part of his routine to get ready and get focused. And, Nick truly thinks it helps him.
FC: You are a journalist for more than 30 years. Are you able to choose your favorite 5 players that you had the opportunity to work with? DF: Good question. OK, let's start with the number one, Magic Johnson. I think there is a lot of Magic in Nick for his personality and his smile. Number two is Larry Bird, because of his work ethic. I have never seen anybody who works harder at his game than Larry and when I used to see Nick at the park for hours he reminded me of Larry. Number three, of course, Michael Jordan. I believe he is the most competitive athlete that I had the opportunity to cover. MJ wanted the ball when the pressure was on and I think Nick is very similar to that. Nick doesn't like anybody else taking that shot when the game is on the line. In that way he is just like Michael Jordan. Number four is Byron Scott. I knew him when he was in the high school and he is very religious and extremely smooth and cool. I think Nick is similar. When there is a formal affair no one looks better than Nick. The last one, is a player of a long time ago, you probably know him better as a coach, John Wooden. John Wooden played at Purdue University and he has inspirational Words of Wisdom. Wooden combined all of his famous sayings into what he called a Pyramid of Success, and at the top of the pyramid he defines success as doing the best you can to make the most out of what you have. Unquestionably, Nick Young has done the best that he could with what he has to become a success. Those are my five favorites and I see a little of each in Nick.
Thanks Dan.

Francesco Casati
f.casati@fastwebnet.it