Medora is a 2013 documentary film by Andrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart about a small town basketball team based in Medora, Indiana, called the Medora Hornets. The town's 70-students high school basketball team which is on a losing streak of many seasons, just unable to keep up with larger schools in the area league, much as Medora itself struggles to barely survive.

Medora
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAndrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart
Produced by
  • Rachel Dengiz
  • Davy Rothbart
  • Andrew Cohn
  • Rachael Counce
CinematographyRachael Counce
Edited by
  • Vanessa Roworth
  • Andrew Cohn
  • Mary Manhardt
Music by
Distributed by
  • Beachside Films
  • Olive Productions
  • Seven34 Films
Release date
  • November 8, 2013 (2013-11-08)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The directors were initially interested in the team after an article in The New York Times about the team. For the full 2010–2011 season, they took more than 600 hours of footage about the team and the lives and struggles of its team members.[1] The post-production costs were financed through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter.[2] The resulting 82-minute documentary was released in November 2013.

Festivals

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The documentary had its premiere during the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2013. It was also an official selection during the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in 2013, and played over 20 other festivals worldwide throughout the year.

Critics agree that Medora is not just another basketball documentary. Variety magazine said that the filmmakers Andrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart "deliver a bleakly potent portrait of life in an economically devastated Middle American town."[3] The film also received glowing reviews in The New York Times,[4] The Village Voice,[5] Entertainment Weekly,[citation needed] and Time,[citation needed] among others, and currently scores a 92% rating on film website Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews.[6]

Cast

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Basketball players

  • Dylan McSoley
  • Rusty Rogers
  • Robby Armstrong
  • Chaz Cowles
  • Logan Smith
  • Corey Hansen
  • Logan Farmer
  • Zach Fish

Others (including coaches)

  • Justin Gilbert (Head Varsity coach)
  • Rudie Crane (Junior Varsity Coach/ Varsity Assistant)
  • Dennis Pace (athletic director)
  • Josh Deering
  • Hannah Elkins (cheerleader)
  • Monika "Mo" Bevers (cheerleader)
  • Denny Temple (cheerleading coach)
  • Dr. John Reed (Superintendent)
  • Mr. Brad McCammon (Principal)

Soundtrack

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Medora, Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedNovember 19, 2013 (Digital Download)
LabelABCKO Records

Medora, Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture was released by ABCKO Records on November 19, 2013.[7] The album contains 18 tracks, including 10 original score tracks by Bobby Emmett and Patrick Keeler.

The album features the film's original music composed by Bobby Emmett, as well as tracks by Joe Lapaglia, Dabrye, Kadence, Harlan, Chris Bathgate and the Press Delete.

Track listing

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  1. "Consolidated Blues" (1:07)
  2. "Shadow of Love" (2:27)
  3. "Old Medora" (2:43)
  4. "Rusty Kicked Out" (3:14)
  5. "Rusty Picks Up Mom" (3:18)
  6. "Never Take Me Alive" (1:50)
  7. "Shaking Ghosts" – Joe Lapaglia (4:40)
  8. "Encoded Flow" – Dabrye featuring Kadence (2:53)
  9. "Moment to Myself" – Harlan (2:52)
  10. "The Real World" – Chris Bathgate (3:59)
  11. "Almost Home" – Joe Lapaglia (4:20)
  12. "Ride to Columbus" (2:55)
  13. "Columbus Game (2:36)
  14. "The Firetruck" (2:17)
  15. "Strawflower's Waltz" – Chris Bathgate (4:55)
  16. "Small Town" – the Press Delete (2:39)
  17. "Crothersville Game" (2:26)
  18. "Lighthouse Game" (1:51)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jamie Siebrase (November 11, 2013). "The real-life Hoosiers of Medora: Small-town life dribbles away". Denver Westword.
  2. ^ "MEDORA (Documentary) -- HELP REACH OUR NEW GOAL OF 65K! by Andrew Cohn & Davy Rothbart — Kickstarter". Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Leydon, Joe (November 8, 2013). "Film Review: 'Medora'". Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (November 7, 2013). "Even One Win Can Mean Everything". Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Scherstuhl, Alan (November 5, 2013). "Medora Is a Stellar Doc About Losing, Basketball and Growing Up in Indiana". Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Medora (2013)". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "'Medora' Soundtrack Announced | Film Music Reporter". Retrieved September 16, 2024.
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