Film Fri Jun 12 2009

There's No Crying in Kickball

As the summer solstice creeps upon us, we look to our neighborhood parks for new games to play and people to meet. But maybe we should all head over to the Gene Siskel Film Center to get an idea of how a real sport is played. Left Field is a documentary about that sport that both terrified and excited us in grade school -- kickball. Played in an almost anarchistic sense of competition, Chicago transplants Sarah Hart and KC Haywood find themselves in the midst of the most spirited kickball league in Illinois and end up loving every minute of it. The league grows larger and these kickball aficionados soon find themselves inundated with rules and competition instead of good old fashion playground fun. Filmmakers Ben Steger and Chris Batte followed the Humboldt Park kickball league that included KC Hollywood's team the Fighting Cocks for over two years, even going as far to join the team later in the shooting. It's a film full of comradery, team spirit, and at times tragedy but the true essence of the game is never lost.

Left Field will be screening at the Gene Siskel Film Center Sunday, June 14 at 5:30 pm and Monday, June 15th at 6 pm. Advance tickets can be purchase on Left Field's official website, which is recommended since this movie sells out fast.

— Amy Dittmeier / Comments (0)