Promoting one’s endeavors outside of the basketball arena is commonplace in the NBA. It happens all of the time. Whether it’s Dwyane Wade advertising for The Tie Bar, Chris Bosh hocking Mr. Nice Tie, Chandler Parsons pitching CP25 socks, Martell Webster championing his forthcoming rap album, LeBron James selling Beats by Dre or any athlete in the league selling their latest signature shoe, most players have things going on outside of basketball, and many use the success and popularity of the league to aid the promotion of said endeavors.
Not many stretch themselves as high as New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who has now produced his first ever full-length feature film, Beyond the Lights. The film was written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood who wrote and directed Love & Basketball. If you haven’t heard about the film, here is its IMDB plot summary, followed by its trailer:
The pressures of fame have superstar singer Noni on the edge, until she meets Kaz, a young cop who works to help her find the courage to develop her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.”
New York Knicks star @amareisreal presents “Beyond the Lights,” (@BeyondTheLights) the first film he produced. #nba pic.twitter.com/65AVLdb4JT
— WWD (@womensweardaily) November 14, 2014
In an interview with Global Grind, Stoudemire discussed what drew him to the script for Beyond the Lights.
The script was remarkable. There were so many underlying messages and [director Gina Prince-Bythewood] covers a lot of aspects that are important. Not only in the music industry, but in life itself and different challenges that careers present.
“I can relate to trying to perfect your craft and being the best at what you do. In the professional world, you do want to succeed and not submerge into a lifestyle that can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t happen.. much to me.”
Stoudemire’s friend and former Phoenix Suns teammate, Steve Nash, saw the film and enjoyed it.
@Amareisreal I saw #beyondthelights last night. Well played sir! Check it out people. — Steve Nash (@SteveNash) November 13, 2014
Not to cause alarm, ruffle feathers or give anyone reason to refrain from seeing the film, but it does seem — almost eerily so — as though a few athletes in the NBA may be using the same social media PR team, as they all seem to have tweeted out very similar messages in an effort to promote the film’s release.
Congrats to my guy @Amareisreal and @RelativitySport on making @BeyondTheLights! Everyone go see this film Friday 11/14! #BeyondTheLights
— Anderson Varejão (@VAREJAOANDERSON) November 13, 2014
Congrats to my guy @Amareisreal and @RelativitySport on making #BeyondTheLights Everyone go see this film Friday 11/14!
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) November 14, 2014
Congrats to my guy @Amareisreal and @RelativitySport on making @BeyondTheLights! Everyone go see this film Friday 11/14! #BeyondTheLights — Drew Gooden III (@DrewGooden) November 14, 2014
If you were a fan of Love & Basketball, then Beyond the Lights is likely a film that you’re going to want to check out. The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle) and Nate Parker (Non-Stop, Red Tails and The Secret Life of Bees) and features a couple familiar faces, Minnie Driver and Danny Glover, in supporting roles.
Beyond the Lights opens nationwide Friday, November 14.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin