Go Run! screens documentary film

Published 9:48 am Monday, January 25, 2016

BAINBRIDGE – Go Run!, a Bainbridge nonprofit organization, will present the Bainbridge premier of “Salaam Dunk” early next month at Bainbridge Cinemas at the Pavilion.

The documentary film will be screened at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6.

The movie follows the American University of Iraq – Sulaimani (AUIS) women’s basketball team, which is comprised of an ethnically mixed group of women from all over Iraq.

Before joining the team, most of these women had never been running before. Many had never played team sports, and none had participated on a team with other women.

Led by an American graduate student teaching and coaching at AUIS, the team learns the game of basketball, discovers what it means to be athletes and struggles to win its first game. The personal stories of the individual team members offer insight into an Iraq that is not shown in news coverage.

Directed by David Fine and produced by Beau Lewis, “Salaam Dunk” was the grand jury award winner at the Florida Film Festival, the grand jury award winner at the Nashville Film Festival, and winner of the Gold Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival.

All proceeds will benefit Go Run!, a running program for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade girls on Bainbridge Island.

Go Run! uses running-based activities as a tool to educate and empower its participants in their physical and emotional lives and to take charge of their own well-being. The program also provides coaching and mentoring volunteer opportunities for older girls and adults in the community.

Tickets for the event may be purchased in advance from Go Run! board members or at the door for $10.