The most thrilling nonfiction film of the year brings us deep into the dramatic world of high school basketball. Bill Resler was a college professor before he decided to take a job as the women's basketball coach at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. His unorthodox tactics and sheer love of the game brought a new dedication to his athletes, and a team that had been a perennial loser started winning games. But a dramatic change in the life of star player, Darnellia Russell, could put the team's entire season in jeopardy. The saga that follows would be unbelievable if it weren't entirely real. Jaded industry execs cheered and cried at this film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. The Heart of the Game is proof positive that the most incredible stories are often real. It's an ideal tip-off for our fest. (DW)

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