412. Director Sam Pollard on “The League” (Negro Leagues doc)

The League is a feature-length documentary, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Pollard, and executive produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The film recounts the dramatic rise and fall of the Negro Leagues – providing a lens on the dazzling parallel world of Black baseball which was created by African Americans during the Jim Crow years.

The League reveals the true story of Black baseball is far more complex and intriguing than the commonly accepted narrative of Jackie Robinson’s triumphant rise. We learn that the integration of the national pastime – while a moral necessity – came at a cost, in that it led to the demise of a revered and consequential Black institution, the Negro Leagues.

In this episode, Sam Pollard joins us to discuss how the film was conceptualized, and the efforts to gather footage. He also talked about the unique balance between recreating certain moments and making sure the movie flows when resources are so limited. He also spoke about his involvement with Spike Lee, including his work on the 1992 film Jungle Fever and the 1996 film Girl 6, which feature extraordinary soundtracks by music legends Stevie Wonder and Prince. The conversation does divert to a short Prince conversation towards the end.

The League can be found on Amazon, Apple, or wherever digital downloads are available.