Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag from Fox Sports activities is a movie that blends the lyrical narrative of Brooklyn-based rapper Skyzoo and the voices of a number of generations to inform the Jackie Robinson story in a singular presentation that goals to reintroduce the Corridor of Famer’s success in and past baseball to a youthful era in an effort to get extra black youth to play the game; a very scorching subject as of late. The movie premiered on October 12 on FS1.
The gamers
Government produced by two-time MLB World Collection Champion Mookie Betts, Co-Produced by Propagate and MLB, and directed by Victorious De Costa (Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn), with narration by Hip Hop stalwart Skyzoo, this collective delivered maybe a very powerful and related story on Robinson I’ve seen. All through the documentary, Skyzoo additionally presents rap commentary from Jackie Robinson’s perspective. He deftly interweaves Robinson’s capability to stay calm within the face of frustration and persecution whereas on the similar time, delivering lyrical missiles that eviscerated opponents when he weighed in on the injustices and racism confronted by Black and Brown individuals.
The Mission
This revealing documentary delivers a key take a look at a number of the most uncovered components of the Jackie Robinson story by discussing the legend’s impression on the enterprise, monetary and actual property sectors of America. From his ground-breaking place as Vice President of the nationwide model, Chock Full o’Nuts to his position as co-founder of Freedom Nationwide Financial institution in Harlem, and a development firm, “JACKIE ROBINSON: GET TO THE BAG” affords a full-bodied take a look at the oft-uncelebrated multi-level heroism of Jackie Robinson.
It makes me smile now once I consider the time period “Purchase again the block”…it’s an space of activism ignited by Robinson within the early 60s and the idea is being put into play across the nation right now by a youthful era waking as much as the idea of generational wealth and housing safety.
Impression
I may undoubtedly write/sort about this documentary till my fingers bled, there’s simply a lot to cowl and this piece of labor excites me to no finish as a fan of baseball, a black man born within the 60s and father to youngsters who query me about WHY I speak about a number of the issues I do. This documentary is MORE than a well-deserved dialogue of the chief and cultural anchor that was Jackie Robinson, it’s a masterful exposé of the kind of “much less speak extra motion” leaders our neighborhood produced throughout an period of when change or destruction of our capability to impact change had been THE problems with the day.
I obtained an opportunity to meet up with Director Victorious De Costa and Skyzoo for a dialog on the documentary and co-exec producer Omar Bradford additionally popped on for a short second. Listening to from these minds on their take concerning the timeliness of this movie, the achievement of the general mission of the creators, and the highest takeaways from the movie had been priceless.
Enjoyable truth
Skyzoo grew up within the Ebbets Discipline Residences which had been constructed on the precise location of the Brooklyn Dodgers stadium by the identical identify. It was on this hallowed floor of baseball historical past that Jackie Robinson shattered the colour barrier of Main League Baseball and began down the trail which might make him an icon not solely on the sphere however within the annals of American historical past…undoubtedly, the spirit of Robinson linked with Skyzoo as he wrote and delivered the impactful rap commentaries of the movie. Tune in to the dialog beneath!
JACKIE ROBINSON: GET TO THE BAG is produced by Betts’ media firm, One Media/Advertising Group (OMG), together with Propagate (“Untold”, “Hillary”, “LFG”). The movie’s government producers are Betts, Cam Lewis, Jeff Mason, and Omar Bradford of OMG, and Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, and Drew Buckley of Propagate. Jack Katkavich serves as co-executive producer. The documentary is an extension of the collaboration between Betts’ OMG and Propagate following their manufacturing deal introduced earlier this yr and is the primary undertaking to greenlight.

1957- Jackie Robinson retires (Jacob Harris: Related Press)