Film Lens
Salaam Dunk is a documentary that follows the women's basketball team at The American University of Iraq – Sulaimani during an academic year. The film centers on the players, including team captain Laylan, Enji, Ola, and Safa, as they navigate their roles as students and athletes amidst the complexities of Iraqi society. The team is coached by Ryan Bubalo, a US-born instructor who also teaches English at the university.
The narrative illustrates how basketball serves as a unifying force for the players, allowing them to form friendships and build a sense of community despite the political, economic, and cultural divides in their environment. The film captures their experiences on and off the court, providing insight into their lives and the broader context of life in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Why Watch
- •Meet Laylan, the inspiring team captain from Iraq.
- •Follow the lives of young women athletes in Kurdistan.
- •See how basketball connects diverse communities.
Did You Know
•The film was released in 2011 and has a duration of 78 minutes.
•Salaam Dunk won the Gold Plaque for 'Best Documentary' at the 2011 Chicago International Film Festival.
•The entire basketball team of 17 young women was flown to Doha for a screening of the film.
•Laylan, the team captain, was featured in a five-minute presentation for the Nike Jordans Rise Above campaign.
Perfect For
Sports enthusiastsDocumentary fansMiddle Eastern culture