Click on photo to view website

from gat.ca

Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story
Directed by Peter Miller
Narrated by Dustin Hoffman

Opens in Toronto
October 1, 2010 – Cineplex Odeon Sheppard – 4861 Yonge St.

Opens in Montreal
October 1, 2010 – Cineplex Odeon Cavendish Mall – 5800 Boulevard

Baseball has never been just another old boys’ club. But what has been largely untold is the extent to which Jewish-Americans embraced the game. Even in otherwise unenlightened times, stickball-playing Jewish kids in Brooklyn could still rightfully imagine waving to crowds at Ebbets Field.

Directed by Peter Miller and narrated by Dustin Hoffman, JEWS AND BASEBALL: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY explores the connection between Jewish Americans and baseball, one of America’s most iconic institutions.

More than a film about sports, it is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, and the shattering of stereotypes. “You should be an attorney or a doctor, but not a ballplayer,” one former major leaguer remembers, describing the prejudices that he and other Jewish athletes faced. But despite the stereotypes, and in the face of hostility from fans and even violence from opposing players, there have been standout Jewish players in every decade from the 1860s to the present.

JEWS AND BASEBALL is the first major documentary to tell their stories. Interviews include fans, writers, executives, and especially players – including Al Rosen, Kevin Youkilis, Shawn Green, Norm Sherry, Ron Blomberg, Bob Feller, and Yogi Berra. The film includes a rare interview and appearance with the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax.

Fans Ron Howard and Larry King speak of the meaning of Jewish ballplayers in their own lives, while historians, and even two baseball-loving rabbis, relate the stories of Jewish players to the turbulent history of the last century. These powerful personal and historical tales are interwoven with an extraordinary collection of rare archival footage and photos, in front of an eclectic musical score ranging from Benny Goodman to Yo-Yo Ma to Rush, and the film ends with a stunning rendition of Take Me Out To the Ball Game, sung by Sophie Milman.

The idea for Jews and Baseball came to Winnipeg-born, Toronto-based, Producer William Hechter and it was no time at all before the team was in place to play ball. “Making this film was a thrill,” says Hechter. “I was inspired from start to finish, and every day was like being at the 7th game of the world series. We had a dream team of all stars to work with, and I was very fortunate that everyone involved put so much into making this happen.”

Jews and Baseball: An American Love story opens in Toronto and Montreal on October 1, 2010 at the Cineplex Sheppard Grande and Cavendish Mall.

For trailer check out: http://www.clearlakeproductions.com/trailer.html