Sunset Park is a 1996 sports drama film directed by Steve Gomer. The film follows the story of Phyllis Saroka, a white schoolteacher from a wealthy suburb, who has just been fired from her job for speaking out against her former school's racism. Desperate for work, she takes the only available job she can find: coaching the basketball team at a predominantly black high school in Brooklyn, New York.
At the start of the film, the basketball team is made up of a group of undisciplined and unmotivated players who frequently skip practice and are more interested in hanging out with their friends on the streets than playing basketball. However, Phyllis sees something special in the team and believes that with the right guidance, they could become a winning team.
Over the course of the film, Phyllis works hard to gain the trust and respect of her players, including Shorty, the team's star player who is dealing with issues at home, and Spaceman, the team's resident troublemaker. She also faces resistance from the school's principal and parents who are skeptical of her ability to coach their children.
Despite the challenges, Phyllis perseveres and helps the team improve their skills, discipline and teamwork. The team's hard work pays off as they begin to win games and gain recognition from other schools. However, as they approach the championship game, Phyllis must face her own personal demons and overcome the odds to lead the team to victory.
Sunset Park features an ensemble cast, including Rhea Perlman as Phyllis Saroka, Fredro Starr as Shorty, Terrence Howard as Spaceman, and Carol Kane as Mona, the school's guidance counselor. The film deals with themes of racial tensions, class differences, and the power of determination and hard work.