Whether it’s redemption as a young woman and daughter during medieval times, or as a US Basketball team playing in the 2008 Olympics, there are hours of entertaining and enlightening moments to be enjoyed with these two films.

Catherine Called Birdy (Amazon Prime) - Director Lena Dunham is known for being a feminist and activist, best known for her television series, Girls; so it comes as something of a surprise to find her new project set in medieval England. But before you think it’s a case of fish out of water; have faith in Dunham knowing what she brings to the table, and delivering with two guns blazing. Starring Bella Ramsey as 14-year-old Lady Catherine, and filmed in diary style, the narrative has to do with an era when young women were treated as chattel, seen as nothing more than trading pieces to bring money and riches in the form of a dowry. And as a 14-year-old, there’s a lot of baggage that the Catherine character is out to talk about and address in her life.

It’s a coming of age that’s filled with witty, hilarious lines; and unlike other films which have attempted to do the same but failed, this film takes contemporary teenager attitudes and sass, and then transposes them to this Dark Ages English setting. Andrew Scott as Lord Rollo, Catherine’s father, is a wonderful creation. Tongue in cheek; he’s doing his version of exasperated father of any headstrong female teenager, and it works beautifully. There’s Billie Piper as Birdy’s mother, knowing that her voice can only be used sparingly, but with strong purpose, as long as she knows when to raise it. It’s a minor gem that knows how to play with Birdy’s engaging personality and smart side comments. Worth the watch, and funny.

The Redeem Team (Netflix) - It’s easy to forget the story of the US Olympic basketball team of 2008 at the Beijing Games. 2004 marked the lowest point of US Basketball with their Bronze finish - and don’t forget the likes of LeBron, Dwayne, Carmelo were on this 2004 team as the Young Turks. They lost to Argentina in the Semi-finals, who went on to beat Italy in the gold medal game. Despite the given attitude that all the Americans had to do was show up, and they’d win each and every game, world basketball had caught up and were now playing with the belief that as a team, and not a collection of great individual players, they could win. So this was an important watershed for what US Basketball still meant, if it was the best.

The nice things about this special are the analysis of the role Coach K played, and the inclusion of a Kobe Bryant, who was himself at a particular juncture in his career when he was perceived as selfish and all ego. One revelatory behind the scenes moment is when Coach K unveils a 1983 rendition of the national anthem by the late Marvin Gaye as their theme song. It’s moments such as this that add real texture to the special and make it much more than just a recap of the team on its road to reclaiming Olympic glory. And ultimately, it’s watching Kobe play and speak that makes this such a lovely reminder of why he captured the imagination of basketball fans all over the world. Watch this as a basketball fan, then reignite your passion for Kobe and what he brought to the game.