David Altrogge wanted to make a movie “about someone who did good and who could give hope” in bleak times. The Indiana, Pa., native could’ve chosen a few prominent Western Pennsylvanians who fit that bill, but ultimately decided to focus on Pirates legend Roberto Clemente.
It took the Pittsburgh area filmmaker almost five years to complete “Clemente,” an expansive documentary chronicling The Great One’s life from his humble upbringing in Puerto Rico to the 1972 plane accident that killed him at age 38. Altrogge enlisted Clemente’s family, friends, fans, teammates, famous admirers and more to tell the “human story” behind the two-time World Series champion.
“Clemente” premiered Monday afternoon in Austin, Texas, as part of the 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival. We caught up with Altrogge, 39, shortly before he and Clemente’s sons, Luis and Roberto Jr., attended the documentary’s inaugural public screening.
“These guys have been carrying their father’s torch for 50 years,” he said of Luis and Roberto Jr., who executive-produced “Clemente” along with their brother, Roberto Enrique Clemente.
“Since they were kids, they’ve been working tirelessly to make sure his story isn’t forgotten. … It’s been a really cool thing to get to know them, and they’ve been so generous to entrust me with telling this story.”
Baseball wasn’t a huge part of Altrogge’s childhood. Like many Western Pennsylvanians, though, he still ended up being fairly well-versed in the Clemente legend. He decided to center a film on Clemente after picking up a book about him and being struck by “the little moments of kindness” peppered throughout its pages.
Made through his locally based production company Vinegar Hill, “Clemente” finds Altrogge with directing, co-writing and producing credits. The project gained attention after renowned filmmaker (and baseball enthusiast) Richard Linklater jumped on board as an executive producer. Recently, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and his SpringHills Co. also joined the film as executive producers.
Its first champion was Duane Rieder, the executive director of the Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville. He connected Altrogge to the Clemente family and also helped acquaint him with sportscaster Bob Costas.
The Clemente brothers are the reason Altrogge conducted the last interview with their late mother, Vera Clemente, before her death in 2019. They also introduced Altrogge to the Pirates organization and other notable 1960s and ’70s Buccos, including Manny Sanguillén, Dave Cash and Al Oliver.
“We are grateful to David and the Vinegar Hill production team for their dedication in thoroughly exploring aspects of our family’s legacy that are being brought to viewers for the first time,” Luis and Roberto Jr. said in a joint statement. “Their attention to detail in presenting this story in impeccable detail is truly commendable.”
Roberto Jr. and Luis are also slated to be executive producers on a forthcoming biopic about their father, based on the book “Clemente: The True Legacy of an Undying Hero.”
Many films go to SXSW in search of a home, and “Clemente” is no exception. Altrogge is looking forward to “finding the right partner” and is open to whichever offer he believes will maximize its potential viewership.
Beyond getting the film widely seen, Altrogge’s goal is to ensure viewers leave his documentary feeling like they have a strong grasp on “who Clemente was as a person.”
“You’re going to walk away feeling like you know him,” he promised.
“If you’re a baseball fan, of course you’re going to love the film. …I’m excited for people who aren’t even baseball fans to get to know who he was and get to know what a complicated individual he was.”
Connecticut and Clemente
Waterbury has honored Roberto Clemente by naming a bridge on Baldwin Street, ball fields at Huntingdon Park and, in 2023, thecity’s international dual language school in his memory. Also, Falls Village native Steve Blass was a teammate of his with the 1970s Pirates and was chosen to speak at Clemente’s funeral.
