There’s a lot to enjoy, but nothing new, in this documentary that focuses on a key transitional period in Muhammad Ali’s life
Here to prove you can never have enough documentaries about Muhammad Ali is New York director Muta’Ali Muhammad, who has made a new film on the subject for the US’s Smithsonian Channel; it is entertaining, but perhaps unsure of what exactly it’s saying that is new. It focuses on the legendary boxer’s public life from 1959 to 1964, as he negotiated a new existence as world champion and member of the Nation of Islam, changing his name from Cassius Clay to (initially) Cassius X in a key transitional moment. It is written by Scottish author and producer Stuart Cosgrove, adapting his own 2020 book Cassius X: A Legend in the Making.
This perfectly watchable film moves with breezy fluency from Ali’s early years, the sensational...
Here to prove you can never have enough documentaries about Muhammad Ali is New York director Muta’Ali Muhammad, who has made a new film on the subject for the US’s Smithsonian Channel; it is entertaining, but perhaps unsure of what exactly it’s saying that is new. It focuses on the legendary boxer’s public life from 1959 to 1964, as he negotiated a new existence as world champion and member of the Nation of Islam, changing his name from Cassius Clay to (initially) Cassius X in a key transitional moment. It is written by Scottish author and producer Stuart Cosgrove, adapting his own 2020 book Cassius X: A Legend in the Making.
This perfectly watchable film moves with breezy fluency from Ali’s early years, the sensational...
- 10/11/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
A boxing legend is born.
This week, the trailer debuted for the new documentary “Cassius X: Becoming Ali”, which tells the story of the man who would become Muhammad Ali.
Read More: Muhammad Ali 80th Birthday To Be Marked With Virtual Event
Focusing on the early years of his life and career, the documentary tracks Ali, back when he was known as Cassius Clay, on his journey from rookie boxer out of Louisville, Ken., to becoming the world heavyweight champion.
It also follows Ali’s evolution from working class intellectual to one of the most influential civil right advocates in American history, inspired by the teachings of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad and his friendship with civil rights icon Malcolm X.
Read More: Muhammad Ali & Malcolm X Form An Unbeatable Bond In ‘Blood Brothers’ Documentary Trailer
Malcolm would spur the young boxer to take the name Cassius X, before...
This week, the trailer debuted for the new documentary “Cassius X: Becoming Ali”, which tells the story of the man who would become Muhammad Ali.
Read More: Muhammad Ali 80th Birthday To Be Marked With Virtual Event
Focusing on the early years of his life and career, the documentary tracks Ali, back when he was known as Cassius Clay, on his journey from rookie boxer out of Louisville, Ken., to becoming the world heavyweight champion.
It also follows Ali’s evolution from working class intellectual to one of the most influential civil right advocates in American history, inspired by the teachings of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad and his friendship with civil rights icon Malcolm X.
Read More: Muhammad Ali & Malcolm X Form An Unbeatable Bond In ‘Blood Brothers’ Documentary Trailer
Malcolm would spur the young boxer to take the name Cassius X, before...
- 10/5/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Speciality distributor Cosmic Cat has set U.K. release dates for documentary “Cassius X: Becoming Ali.”
The film follows the early years of Cassius Clay, from a bright-eyed rookie boxer from Louisville, Kentucky, to world heavyweight champion and from working class intellectual to one of America’s most influential civil rights campaigners. The film reveals how the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, reinforced by a friendship with revolutionary preacher, Malcolm X, set Clay on the journey to become Cassius X, before his induction to the Nation of Islam and ascension to the name of Muhammad Ali.
“Cassius X: Becoming Ali” is directed by Muta’Ali Muhammad (“Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn”) and is based on the book “Cassius X: A Legend In The Making” by journalist Stuart Cosgrove. It is produced by Two Rivers Media (“The Small Hand (Ghost Story),” “Killing Escobar”) in association with Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios...
The film follows the early years of Cassius Clay, from a bright-eyed rookie boxer from Louisville, Kentucky, to world heavyweight champion and from working class intellectual to one of America’s most influential civil rights campaigners. The film reveals how the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, reinforced by a friendship with revolutionary preacher, Malcolm X, set Clay on the journey to become Cassius X, before his induction to the Nation of Islam and ascension to the name of Muhammad Ali.
“Cassius X: Becoming Ali” is directed by Muta’Ali Muhammad (“Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn”) and is based on the book “Cassius X: A Legend In The Making” by journalist Stuart Cosgrove. It is produced by Two Rivers Media (“The Small Hand (Ghost Story),” “Killing Escobar”) in association with Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios...
- 10/5/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Another year, another film about Muhammad Ali. That’s not a problem – there’s still plenty of mileage in the subject, and plenty of pleasure to be gained from watching the star’s graceful work in the ring. in the search for fresh angles, writer and former Channel 4 executive Stuart Cosgrove has chose to focus on one of the less commonly explored topics in the boxer's life: the religious conversion which was taking place behind the scenes during his rise to fame. Its political implications would shake the US sporting establishment to its core and make his life significantly more difficult, so why did he do it? What did Islam mean to him, and what’s in a name?
If you’re African American like director Muta’Alii Muhammad, some of what’s discussed here is likely to be obvious to you, but then again, there are always people...
If you’re African American like director Muta’Alii Muhammad, some of what’s discussed here is likely to be obvious to you, but then again, there are always people...
- 3/10/2023
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Melanie Iredale, Jeanie Finlay and Lauren Castro are among the participants.
Birds Eye View director Melanie Iredale, British Council’s Catherine Bray, and filmmaker Jeanie Finlay are among the speakers participating in the industry programme of this year’s Glasgow Film Festival (Gff), taking place from March 6-9 and with a particular focus on female talent.
Iredale will participate in an event called ”20 years of Birds Eye View” which celebrates the organisation’s Reclaim The Frame, a spotlight for female and non-binary filmmakers.
Bray will host one-to-one sessions with first and second-time directors to discuss their festival strategies.
Jeanie Finlay,...
Birds Eye View director Melanie Iredale, British Council’s Catherine Bray, and filmmaker Jeanie Finlay are among the speakers participating in the industry programme of this year’s Glasgow Film Festival (Gff), taking place from March 6-9 and with a particular focus on female talent.
Iredale will participate in an event called ”20 years of Birds Eye View” which celebrates the organisation’s Reclaim The Frame, a spotlight for female and non-binary filmmakers.
Bray will host one-to-one sessions with first and second-time directors to discuss their festival strategies.
Jeanie Finlay,...
- 2/8/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Programme will have a particular focus on female talent across the industry
The Glasgow film festival (Gff) has unveiled the full programme for its 2023 industry focus strand with participants including Birds Eye View director Melanie Iredale and the British Council’s Catherine Bray.
The programme will run March 6-9 and have a particular focus on female talent across the industry.
Iredale will participate in an event celebrating 20 years of Reclaim The Frame – a spotlight for female and non-binary filmmakers – with film critic and curator Xuanlin Tham.
Bray will be offering 1:1 sessions with first and second-time directors to discuss their festival strategies.
The Glasgow film festival (Gff) has unveiled the full programme for its 2023 industry focus strand with participants including Birds Eye View director Melanie Iredale and the British Council’s Catherine Bray.
The programme will run March 6-9 and have a particular focus on female talent across the industry.
Iredale will participate in an event celebrating 20 years of Reclaim The Frame – a spotlight for female and non-binary filmmakers – with film critic and curator Xuanlin Tham.
Bray will be offering 1:1 sessions with first and second-time directors to discuss their festival strategies.
- 2/8/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Scotland’s leading podcast production company, The Big Light, has taken on new studio and office space in Glasgow as it targets commercial expansion.
The new state-of-the-art recording studio, editing suite, and production office will allow the company to expand its original content output as well as opening up commissioned podcast revenue streams.
Founded in 2020 by broadcaster Janice Forsyth and producer Fiona White, The Big Light has moved in with one of the country’s leading creative marketing agencies, Frame, at its headquarters in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay.
An award winning, end-to-end producer, publisher and distributor of premium on-demand audio content, The Big Light has made podcasts for commercial clients including BBC Sounds, Spotify, and The National Trust.
It also creates original podcasts for its independent network including popular weekly shows such as TalkMedia with Stuart Cosgrove and Professor Eamonn O’Neill; Blethered with Sean McDonald; and Talking Derry Girls. The...
The new state-of-the-art recording studio, editing suite, and production office will allow the company to expand its original content output as well as opening up commissioned podcast revenue streams.
Founded in 2020 by broadcaster Janice Forsyth and producer Fiona White, The Big Light has moved in with one of the country’s leading creative marketing agencies, Frame, at its headquarters in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay.
An award winning, end-to-end producer, publisher and distributor of premium on-demand audio content, The Big Light has made podcasts for commercial clients including BBC Sounds, Spotify, and The National Trust.
It also creates original podcasts for its independent network including popular weekly shows such as TalkMedia with Stuart Cosgrove and Professor Eamonn O’Neill; Blethered with Sean McDonald; and Talking Derry Girls. The...
- 12/1/2022
- Podnews.net
Dan Sefton To Adapt Ex-Genesis Drummer’s Novel For TV
Mallorca Files creator Dan Sefton is to adapt the story of ex-Genesis drummer Chris Stewart’s life for TV. Based on Stewart’s novel Driving Over Lemons, Sefton, along with a team including Simon Lupton, Nick Leese, Alvaro Alonso and Manuel Yebra, will turn the retired musician’s incredible life story into a comedy-drama, with no network attached yet. At 17, Stewart left Genesis and turned his back on rock-n-roll for a career as a sheep shearer and travel writer. Inspired by his family’s adventures, the drama follows Chris, a hapless optimist, and his pragmatic wife Ana, as the couple embark on a new life, uprooting from the UK and relocating to Andalusia in an attempt to build a new life in the Alpujarra mountains. Sefton’s indie Seven Sea Films is producing with Leese’s Tin Hat Film...
Mallorca Files creator Dan Sefton is to adapt the story of ex-Genesis drummer Chris Stewart’s life for TV. Based on Stewart’s novel Driving Over Lemons, Sefton, along with a team including Simon Lupton, Nick Leese, Alvaro Alonso and Manuel Yebra, will turn the retired musician’s incredible life story into a comedy-drama, with no network attached yet. At 17, Stewart left Genesis and turned his back on rock-n-roll for a career as a sheep shearer and travel writer. Inspired by his family’s adventures, the drama follows Chris, a hapless optimist, and his pragmatic wife Ana, as the couple embark on a new life, uprooting from the UK and relocating to Andalusia in an attempt to build a new life in the Alpujarra mountains. Sefton’s indie Seven Sea Films is producing with Leese’s Tin Hat Film...
- 1/11/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
In October 1969, the writer Raymond Robinson took to the pages of the New York Amsterdam News, the city’s leading black newspaper, to pose a question. That previous summer, Harlem’s Mount Morris Park had hosted a series of free Sunday afternoon concerts, known collectively as the Harlem Cultural Festival, which featured a startling roster of artists including Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, B.B. King, the Staple Singers, the 5th Dimension, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
“The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival was, indeed, a meaningful entity,...
“The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival was, indeed, a meaningful entity,...
- 8/9/2019
- by Jonathan Bernstein
- Rollingstone.com
Last night, Edith Bowman played host to the British Academy Scotland Awards 2012, celebrating the year’s best and most promising talent in Scotland.
Previously known as the BAFTA Scotland Awards, the nominations were announced last month, with Ken Loach’s The Angel’s Share leading the pack, having taken home the Jury Prize at Cannes back in the spring.
The results have officially been announced, and Loach’s film didn’t disappoint, taking home the Best Writer award for Paul Laverty and Best Actor/Actress in the Film category for Paul Brannigan.
Zam Salim came away with the Best Director and Best Feature Film awards for his feature directorial debut, Up There, which was released in UK cinemas on Friday – if it’s playing in a theatre near you, this should definitely be encouragement enough to go and seek it out, if you haven’t done so already.
The great...
Previously known as the BAFTA Scotland Awards, the nominations were announced last month, with Ken Loach’s The Angel’s Share leading the pack, having taken home the Jury Prize at Cannes back in the spring.
The results have officially been announced, and Loach’s film didn’t disappoint, taking home the Best Writer award for Paul Laverty and Best Actor/Actress in the Film category for Paul Brannigan.
Zam Salim came away with the Best Director and Best Feature Film awards for his feature directorial debut, Up There, which was released in UK cinemas on Friday – if it’s playing in a theatre near you, this should definitely be encouragement enough to go and seek it out, if you haven’t done so already.
The great...
- 11/19/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Ortis Deley will work for Channel 4 again in the future, despite his recent axe from presenting its athletics coverage. The Gadget Show presenter's role was "scaled back" after the broadcaster received hundreds of complaints over his large amount of live errors while fronting its coverage of the Iaaf world athletics championships. He was later replaced by Rick Edwards. Channel 4's director of creative diversity Stuart Cosgrove has admitted to the coverage's "false start", but insists that Deley will not be axed completely from the channel. (more)...
- 9/8/2011
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Some say the magic number of years to wait before making a film about a youth culture is 13. Others say you just need a good script. Jane Graham asks the people who've made them
No British youth subculture worth its drugs has gone unnoticed by film-makers, but the 90s rave culture has proved notoriously difficult to pin down with any degree of artistic or box-office success. There was much to enjoy in 1999's Human Traffic, Justin Kerrigan's portrayal of a bunch of clubbers going through the highs and comedowns of an E-enhanced night out in early-90s Cardiff. Yet Kerrigan's vision, though it noted the melancholy in the air, offered little in the way of thoughtful analysis of the scene and its legacy.
It seemed likely that might be down to the haste with which Kerrigan tackled his subject; released during the same decade it was evoking, there simply...
No British youth subculture worth its drugs has gone unnoticed by film-makers, but the 90s rave culture has proved notoriously difficult to pin down with any degree of artistic or box-office success. There was much to enjoy in 1999's Human Traffic, Justin Kerrigan's portrayal of a bunch of clubbers going through the highs and comedowns of an E-enhanced night out in early-90s Cardiff. Yet Kerrigan's vision, though it noted the melancholy in the air, offered little in the way of thoughtful analysis of the scene and its legacy.
It seemed likely that might be down to the haste with which Kerrigan tackled his subject; released during the same decade it was evoking, there simply...
- 8/18/2011
- by Jane Graham
- The Guardian - Film News
A couple of clicks away on the web are scores of films made by fans – by turns hilarious, ingenious and ambitious. Lurking among their makers might be Hollywood's next generation.
Many still regard them as flatulent waste products of the socially deficient unemployed-layabout community. In most cases, they're pretty much right. But it looks increasingly likely that some of the amateur fan films that pervade YouTube and other online broadcasters will one day be cherished by movie-lovers as the formative works of the next generation of cutting-edge film-makers.
The idea of the fan film – an amateur, not-for-profit work inspired by a commercial movie, TV show or comic book – isn't new. Even before science fiction conventions in the 1970s began to provide sizeable audiences for homemade homages to much-loved sci-fi/fantasy franchises, teenage movie geeks such as Hugh Hefner and Batman fan Andy Warhol were finding their film-making feet making short...
Many still regard them as flatulent waste products of the socially deficient unemployed-layabout community. In most cases, they're pretty much right. But it looks increasingly likely that some of the amateur fan films that pervade YouTube and other online broadcasters will one day be cherished by movie-lovers as the formative works of the next generation of cutting-edge film-makers.
The idea of the fan film – an amateur, not-for-profit work inspired by a commercial movie, TV show or comic book – isn't new. Even before science fiction conventions in the 1970s began to provide sizeable audiences for homemade homages to much-loved sci-fi/fantasy franchises, teenage movie geeks such as Hugh Hefner and Batman fan Andy Warhol were finding their film-making feet making short...
- 5/13/2010
- by Jane Graham
- The Guardian - Film News
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