Executive produced by Giannis “Greek Freak” Thanasis, “Rise” follows the story of the NBA star and his brothers, Thanasis and Kostas Antetokounmpos. The film chronicles the early lives of the Greek-born brothers of Nigerian descent. Through their family’s determination, faith, tenacity, and work ethic, they rose above their circumstances and hardships to become sports phenoms and household names. Real-life brothers Uche and Ral Agada portray Giannis and Thanasis, respectively.
The Antetokounmpos brothers’ story begins in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1990. Their parents, Charles and Vera Antetokounmpo (Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki, respectively), make the harrowing choice to leave their homeland for Greece, leaving their firstborn infant son behind with relatives.
So often, Disney films smooth over some of the uglier bits that plague human society. However, in showcasing Charles and Vera’s journey from Lagos to Istanbul and eventually Athens, award-winning Nigerian film director Akin Omotoso refuses to shy away from the racism, xenophobia, humiliation, and everything else the two encounter. Yet, he never dwells on these dark aspects of the narrative—this story is about family bonds and the determination to see a nearly impossible future.
As newcomers, the Agada brothers do a good job here, and the film spotlights things like Giannis’ birth in 1994 and a fateful moment in the park when he first became intrigued by the game of basketball. Unlike many sports films, the actual game isn’t the true star here.
Instead, the film’s real star is the Antetokounmpos family unit. Their immigration status and lack of finances are threaded throughout the narrative, but they are always shown in vibrant colors against a modest but warm background. Okeniyi and Badaki’s performances are particularly impactful as two hardworking and proud people determined to make a better life for their five sons. Moreover, without dwelling on the injustices the family faces, Omotoso criticizes the eroding immigration systems across the globe and the inhumanities that people face as a result.