SEWICKLEY — A locally produced documentary about arguably the greatest athlete to ever play for a Pittsburgh professional sports team will be screened as part of upcoming documentary offerings at the Lindsay Theater.
“Clemente” will play at the Sewickley theater from Sept. 12-18, with the possibility of additional dates added.
Director David Altrogge’s film spotlights Pirates legend Roberto Clemente’s amazing life and baseball career, and examines why “The Great One” remains such a revered figure in Pittsburgh and beyond.
The film starts with Clemente’s childhood in Puerto Rico, takes viewers through his Pirates heyday, and immortalizes the hall-of-famer’s philanthropic legacy that was tragically exemplified by his 1972 death in a plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua.
The documentary includes interviews with Clemente’s sons, Luis and Robert Jr.; the last interview with his late wife, Vera; multiple Pirates legends; contemporary Major League Baseball stars like Francisco Lindor and Yadier Molina; Pittsburgh-raised movie star Michael Keaton; and Rita Moreno, an Oscar-winning actor and fellow Puerto Rican icon.
Altrogge co-founder of locally based production company Vinegar Hill with Michael Barnett alongside a group that also includes renowned director Richard Linklater (“Dazed & Confused”) and the SpringHill Company duo of Maverick Carter and NBA superstar LeBron James.
This is the second Altrogge-directed film to play at The Lindsay. “Neat: The Story of Bourbon” was part of the Theater’s 2024 Documentary Series, where he also hosted an audience Q&A.
“And we hope he’ll be available again to discuss making this beautiful tribute to The Great One with Lindsay patrons,” the Lindsay’s website says.
“Clemente is a quintessential Pittsburgh story,” Altrogge says. “His mission was about bringing people together. We hope this film brings people together in Pittsburgh and across the world.”
Tickets for “Clemente” can be purchased now at thelindsaytheater.org.
The Lindsay’s separate Documentary Series runs Aug. 29-Sept. 11, enabling moviegoers to soak up a wealth of information on art, ecology, language, health care and much more.
Art enthusiasts will want to check out “Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light” and the Thomas Kinkade study “Art for Everybody.” “Sanibel” explores the devastating effects of natural disasters, while “Single-Use Planet” enlists Beaver County residents to examine effects and consequences of the Shell petrochemicals plant. Others are “Rebel With a Clause,” a lighthearted experiment in sewing divisions through bringing out our inner grammar nerds. “Caregiving” is a moving snapshot of the many Americans facing the daunting task of caring for a sick or aging loved one.