CASSIUS X: Becoming Ali
12A
CASSIUS X: Becoming Ali follows the early years of Cassius Clay, from bright-eyed rookie 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 the great Muhammad Ali.
CASSIUS X: Becoming Ali is the extraordinary story of how one young boxer from Louisville, Kentucky became a cultural icon for the ages, forever to be known thereafter as “The Greatest”.
The film will be followed by a panel discussion hosted by Sam Fray with Richard Smith and Sai Murray from Leeds Black Film Club, and Sam Smith and Shaun O’Hagan from Alliance Boxing Club.
This film screening is supported by The New Black Film Collective.
Details
“Cassius X: Becoming Ali successfully weaves the focal boxer’s story back into the era and culture of the time. In turn, that also helps the audience understand Ali’s personal interpretation of what it meant to be Black in America.”
Vague Visages
“Cassius X is remarkably compelling … it’s presented with a skilful eye for editing and pacing and accompanying music, so that it also takes on a truly cinematic beat.”
The Herald
“The film never loses sight of the significance of race in the US… and hinges on an understanding of how identities are formed and controlled, or what it means to take away or bestow a name.”
Eye For Film