Former NBA star and Wnston-Salem State graduate Earl "The Pearl" Monroe as seen in the documentary "Black Magic" (Photo:Courtesy of Earl Monroe)

The injustices endured by black basketball players and coaches at historically black colleges and universities during the civil rights movement were examined Monday at the premiere of “Black Magic” in Durham.

The film was hosted by the Durham-based Full Frame Documentary International Film Festival, which runs April 3-6.

The documentary, directed by Dan Klores, examines the dignity and courage of black players during Jim Crow. The film is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, among others.

This is Klores’ fifth documentary. His film “Crazy Love” was a hit at the 2007 documentary festival.

“The film I am trying to make,” said Klores, “is centered around what one player in the film said: ‘I can remember when it went from “What do you want?” to “How may I help you?’”

The film is produced by Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, a legendary Winston-Salem State University basketball player who was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.

“We are excited that Dan has chosen Durham to premiere his new film,” said Peg Palmer, executive director of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.

The Durham festival is one of the largest documentary film festival of its kind in North America.

Organizers describe the festival, held every spring, as a “celebration of the power and artistry of documentary cinema.”

Klores said he got the idea for the film while researching another film about basketball.

“I love what I’m doing. I’m lucky,” said Klores.

He said his research unearthed the many obstacles black college players faced.

“I couldn’t escape the idea of the civil rights movement and basketball at HBCUs,” said Klores.

Klores said people need to know about the racial quota system that only allowed one or two black players at predominately white colleges.

The film also explores what has become known as the “secret game,” a March 1944 basketball game held between Duke University and N. C. Central University, which was then called North Carolina College for Negros.

The game, set up by 28-year-old NCCU coach John B. McLendon, was held in secret because black teams were forbidden to play white ones.

The game was so secret, in fact, that no one saw the game except the players, the coaches and two referees.

NCCU won 88-44.

Earl Lloyd, the first African American ever to play in an NBA game, is interviewed in the film.

The documentary premiered at the Congress-ional Black Caucus on Feb. 6.

It will air commercial-free on ESPN March 16-17.