I was on the fence about Q-Ball initially, but it is well worth the investment. I am first and foremost a fan of basketball, and have witnessed the therapeutic work in the lives of people drawn together by the love of the game. At the same time, someone dear to me was incarcerated in California for several years, and I feel compelled to know / understand more about "life on the inside" as a way of connecting with him.
This is not an "in depth" analysis of the criminal justice system, but you are introduced to real people who have done bad things and how they are trying to live with themselves and the consequences of their actions... while they interact inside the San Quentin basketball league. I was impressed with the access the film crew must have been granted, and the amount of time they spent with the small handful of players who are the focus of this piece. I have my own thought about "punishment vs. rehabilitation" as it applies to the prison system, but this is not really a controversial piece, or designed to steer the viewer towards a specific agenda. It does provide some insight into the human condition, and the part that hope plays in our life.
Well done!
