Robert Redford is to helm a documentary series about the city of Chicago, ordered by CNN. In Chicagoland, Redford will team up to with Laura Michalchyshyn and the already established filmmaking team of Marc Levin and Mark Benjamin to produce an eight part series, documenting the development of Chicago and the everyday decisions, faced by its mayor and his team.

According to CNN’s release, Chicagoland will capture “the riveting, real-life drama of a city looking to unite at this critical moment in the city’s history. In the aftermath of a countrywide economic collapse, Chicago faces the challenges of improving its public education system, and neighborhood and youth safety. Can the city’s leaders, communities, and residents come together in ways that expand opportunities and allow aspirations to be realized?”

Redford also expressed his excitement for the project in a statement of his own, praising the city and its mayor, Rahm Emanuel: “The vibrant culture and opportunities inherent in this 21st century, world-class city run alongside profound daily challenges. Much of it falls on the shoulders of its tough, visionary mayor, his team and people doing heroic work in neighborhoods throughout the city. Chicago has always had a rhythm all its own. It’s a city that wears its heart on its sleeve and I am honored to be a part of telling this story.”

Production on the series will start in the near future and it is being geared for a 2014 release.

Robert Redford, Sundance London Film and Music Festival
Redford and the rest of the creative team are excited to get to work on the series.