The new Antetokounmpo family biopic Rise debuted last night on Disney Plus and tells the story of a young family’s journey from Nigeria to Athens, and their great dreams of international success.
When Giannis Antetokounmpo took up basketball in Greece, the dream was to end up in the NBA one day, but his story to get there was one of triumph and the overcoming of many obstacles in a new home.
The movie shows the story of how three brothers with the same dream became one of the few people in the NBA to play alongside their siblings, with Giannis, who plays alongside his brother Thanasis for the Milwaukee Bucks, and their brother Kostas, who plays for the LA Lakers.
“Me and Thanasis were playing on the same team for more than 10 years. So, it’s almost like two co-workers going to work every day,” Antetokounmpo said in an interview with The Associated Press.
“I don’t see him as my brother when I’m at work. He does his job, I do my job, but obviously when the game is over, when the practice is over, we spend time together, as much as we can.”
The film was directed by Akin Omotoso, written by Arash Amel and produced by Bernie Goldmann, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Douglas S. Jones who served as executive producers.
Parts of the film were shot on location in Sepolia, the Athens district where the Antetokounmpo’s grew up, last year.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘Hey, would you change your childhood, would you like to have a different life than the life you had and the upbringing you had?’” Antetokounmpo said.
“Like, no way, no way, because that’s what makes us who we are today.”
READ MORE: Antetokounmpo family biopic ‘Rise’ trailer released on Disney+
