Holy Land Hardball
Holy Land Hardball (2008) is a documentary film about starting a professional baseball league in Israel. It is the story of the founding of the Israel Baseball League.
| Holy Land Hardball | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Brett Rapkin Erik Kesten |
| Produced by | Brett Rapkin Erik Kesten |
| Starring | Ken Holtzman Art Shamsky Ron Blomberg |
| Music by | Jeremiah Lockwood[1] |
| Edited by | Brett Rapkin Erik Kesten |
| Distributed by | SnagFilms |
Release date |
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Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
Boston bagel maker Larry Baras, who had no sports management experience,[3] wanted to create a professional baseball league in Israel. He recruited former Jewish major leaguers Art Shamsky, Ken Holtzman, and Ron Blomberg as team managers in the Israel Baseball League.
Film festivals
It premiered at the Silverdocs AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Film Festival and was shown at many other film festivals.[2]
Reviews
Fandango.com says of Holy Land Hardball:
An entertaining documentary, showing a side of Israel far from the news headlines - one of peace, normalcy and discovering the joys of the great American pastime.[4]
Indiewire.com says of Holy Land Hardball:
All things considered, Kesten and Rapkin respect their subjects to the point where "Holy Land Hardball" functions as a warm portrait of people guided by spiritual unity and athletic ambition.[5]
References
- http://blog.jdubrecords.org/2009/08/24/holy-land-home-run/
- http://www.reelhardball.com/2010/01/holy-land-hardball-premiere/
- http://www.film.com/movies/holy-land-hardball/21628133
- Fandango.com Movie Review
- Indiewire.com Movie Review