Benji (2012 film)
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| Directed by | Coodie and Chike |
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78 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Benji or Benji: The True Story of a Life Cut Short is a 2012 documentary film about the short life and 1984 death of Chicago South Side basketball player Ben Wilson who played for Simeon Career Academy. The film debuted at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival on April 20, 2012. The Tribeca viewing was a world premier.
The film was presented three times on three different screens at the film festival: April 20 at 6:00PM (BMCC Tribeca PAC), April 21 at 3:30PM (SVA Theater 1 Silas) and April 28 at 9:30PM (Tribeca Cinemas Theater 1).
ESPN HS recognizes Wilson as the best American high school basketball player in the national class of 1985 based on play during the 1983–84 season, acknowledged by his selection as the 1984 National Junior of the Year. Wilson led Simeon to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state championship in 1984 as a junior. Simeon poised for defense of its state championship with transfers that included Nick Anderson. Like Chicago South Sider, Anthony Davis, Wilson experienced a tremendous growth spurt in high school that he was able to endure without loss of agility and coordination. Like Chicago South Sider Jabari Parker, he was preparing to lead his team in defense of its state title as the presumptive best player in the nation. Directors Coodie and Chike come from a music video background that includes Kanye West's Through the Wire. Coodie Simmons was a 13-year-old seventh-grader from the Beverly community area at the time of the shooting of Wilson, which was the 669th death in Chicago that year.
Wilson was shot and killed following an altercation with other youths near Simeon. The wake and funeral served as a gathering for thousands of Chicagoans to face their grief. Subsequent city homicide rates declined due to public awareness, renewed activism, and legislation regarding improved emergency response. Wilson continues to represent the dream of Chicago youth to achieve the ultimate athletic excellence by becoming the number one player in the nation.Derrick Rose wore Wilson's number 25 when he played for Simeon. Parker had the number 25 stitched into the team sneakers during his time at Simeon.
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