“We Believe – Chicago and Its Cubs”

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Chicago Cubs and Emmy and Grammy nominee John Scheinfeld, a respected director-writer-producer of documentary films, announce today documentary filming is underway to capture the unique relationship between a great city and its baseball team. The fully authorized theatrical documentary “We Believe – Chicago and its Cubs” is expected to be released in the spring of 2009.

This smart, thought-provoking, uplifting and passionate film is set against the 2008 baseball season – the 100^th anniversary of the last Cubs World Series win. Filming for the documentary has been underway since February 2008 at the opening of Cubs Spring Training Camp in Mesa, Arizona. Shooting will be completed at the end of the Cubs’ 2008 season.

According to Scheinfeld, “This documentary film is not going be a 100-year history of the Cubs’ triumphs and tragedies. We will explore and reveal the character, spirit and soul of the city and why its people have rooted for this team so passionately and for so long,” he said.

Chicago Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney said, “We have provided John Scheinfeld and his team with unique access to our organization because of John’s track record of producing exceptional films.”

The documentary will feature entertaining and compelling interviews with current Cubs players and management, former Cubs stars and a distinguished roster of journalists, authors, cultural commentators and politicians as well as stars from the worlds of film, TV and music who maintain a passion for the team and the city. The interviews featured in the film will speak to America, Chicago, baseball, the Cubs and themes of loyalty, tradition, hope, heart, optimism and faith.

Scheinfeld’s most recent documentary, released in 2006, was “The U.S. vs. John Lennon.” Born in Highland Park, Illinois, Scheinfeld received an M.F.A in Radio/Television /Film from Northwestern University. He brings a broad spectrum of experiences and interests to pop culture, music, historical and spiritual projects for broadcast, cable and theatrical exhibition.

Interviews with current and former Cubs players, fans and famous Chicagoans have already been completed. Chicago Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney, General Manager Jim Hendry, Manager Lou Piniella and star Cub players Ryan Dempster, Mark DeRosa, Kosuke Fukudome, Derrek Lee, Ted Lilly, Geovany Soto, Ryan Theriot and Kerry Wood are among those interviewed. Cub legends Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Ron Santo and Billy Williams are also among those interviewed.

The completed interview list also includes singer-songwriter Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, actor-director-producer Jeff Garlin of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Playboy founder-publisher Hugh Hefner, actor-producer Joe Mantegna, Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig, Former American Major League Baseball Player and current broadcaster Steve Stone, Best-selling author Scott Turow, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and columnist George Will and Dutchie Caray (wife of Harry Caray, the former Cubs television broadcaster). More celebrity interviews will be shot in October.

“This documentary film will artfully balance baseball with an in-depth look at Chicago in all its richness and complexity to become a powerful film that is not just for die-hard Cubs fans, but for anyone who’s ever loved their city and their team,” Chad Smith, Producer of the film said.

A Chicago premiere of the documentary will take place in 2009. The documentary is planned to be released in six languages including English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, German and Chinese. Plans are also under consideration to issue a limited edition collector’s DVD in mid-2009 in time for Father’s Day.

An announcement will be made regarding an opportunity for Cubs fans to be included in the credits of the film and support the Cubs Charities.

For further information about “We Believe – Chicago and its Cubs,” please visit: www.webelievethemovie.com.

The documentary “We Believe – Chicago and its Cubs” is being produced by We Believe the Movie Films, LLC.

NOTE TO MEDIA: John Scheinfeld and Chad Smith are available for interviews. Please contact: Ken Trantowski 630/469-8765.