Preview from RCR Entertainment Reporter, Fiona Zaring, Follow her on IG at @FionaZaring
The Spy Behind Home Plate shares a brave hero’s untold story with the world. Moe Berg had a .243 batting average and 15-year Major League Baseball career, but he also quietly fought for our nation as a spy for the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II.
Aviva Kempner produced, wrote and directed the fascinating documentary. She describes the film by saying, “Moe Berg is finally achieving the recognition he so deserves as a World War II hero. This full-length feature documentary explores the broader landscape of his immigrant Jewish upbringing, why he was called the brainiest man in baseball, and his many courageous OSS missions geared towards preventing the Nazis from developing the atomic bomb. Berg is the American hero we all need to know more about!”
Moe’s story is brought to life through rare historical footage as well as interviews with celebrities, and representatives from the worlds of sports, intelligence, and history.
The film shares with viewers a complete picture of what Moe’s life looked like as an OSS operative. Among the many interesting details is the story of how he was selected for a mission that would provide the US with details on the German bomb program. Moe interviewed top Italian physicists to assess their knowledge of Germany’s plans.
His assignments were high stakes, in 1944, he was sent to attend a lecture by German physicist Werner Heisenberg in Zurich. For the mission, Berg was armed with a gun and a cyanide pill. He was instructed to shoot Heisenberg if he discovered he was working on developing an atomic bomb for the Nazis.
Until now Moe’s story and heroism have not been shared with the world. The Spy Behind Home Plate is a unique opportunity to see how one man made an important impact during the war. The documentary is set for national release on Friday, May 24th.
The Spy Behind Home Plate opens nationwide on May 24, 2019
Opens in Washington, DC on Friday, May 24 – The Avalon
Opens in New York on Friday, May 31 – Quad Cinema (Manhattan) and Cinema Arts Center (Huntington, NY)
Opens in Philadelphia on Friday, May 31 at Landmark’s Ritz at the Bourse
Opens in Fairfax, Virginia on Friday, May 31 at Cinema Arts Theater
Expands in New York Metropolitan Area on Friday, June 7 – Kew Gardens Cinemas (Queens), Malverne Cinema (Long Island), Manhasset 3 (Long Island), Cinema 100 in White Plains (Westchester), Maplewood Theater (New Jersey), Claridge 6 in Montclair (New Jersey)
Opens in Los Angeles on Friday, June 7 – Laemmle’s Royal (West Los Angeles) and Town Center (Encino)
Opens in the San Francisco Bay Area on Friday, June 7 – Landmark’s Opera Plaza (San Francisco), Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas (Berkeley), Rancho Niguel 7 (Laguna Niguel), Smith Rafael Film Center (San Rafael)
Opens in Hartford on Friday, June 14 at Real Art Ways
Opens in Phoenix on Friday, June 14 at Harkins Shea 14
Opens in Milwaukee on Friday, June 14 at Landmark’s Oriental Theater
Opens in Palm Desert, CA on Friday, June 14 at Palm Desert 10
Opens in Columbus, OH on Friday, June 21 at Gateway Film Center
Opens in Kansas City on Friday, June 21 at Glenwood Arts
Opens in Lake Worth, FL on Friday, June 21 at Movies at Lake Worth
Opens in Delray, FL on Friday, June 21 at Movies at Delray
Opens in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Friday, June 21 at Gateway
Opens in Boston on Friday, June 28 at Landmark’s Kendall Square
Opens in San Diego on Friday, June 28 at Landmark’s Ken Cinema
Opens in Denver on Friday, June 28 at Landmark’s Chez Artiste
Opens in Atlanta on Friday, July 12 at Landmark’s Midtown Art
Opens in Minneapolis on Friday, July 12 at Landmark’s Edina/Lagoon
For more information on The Spy Behind Home Plate, including special events and speaker programs check out www.spybehindhomeplate.org.
