Facing Ali "The Great "
A movie review by Ariadne Sawyer, Afro News Reporter.
The three time World heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali shown through the eyes of his rivals including Joe Foreman and Leon Spinks in this powerful documentary film shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival in Vancouver, BC with Ali present for the film opening. It weaves interviews of personal stories and experiences with the Champion mixed with vintage footage. Skillfully directed by Pete McCormack (www.petemccormack.com/about_pete.htm) and produced by Derik Murray, (www.docscene.org/derek-murray.html ) this is a must see film.
Some of the comments from the audience after the show ranged from “Wow! A wonderful film” to “Ali makes me proud.”
Ali’s boxing career took off when Cassius Clay, (now known as Muhammad Ali) won the gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics and he became one of the world’s greatest athletes, a leader and humanitarian. A hero of the Civil Rights movement, Muhammad has been the recipient of many awards including the United Nations Messenger of Peace in 1998-2008, for his work with developing nations and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, the United States of America’s highest civil award.
Mahmud Ali had enormous presence both in the ring and out of it. When I was young, I remember my father Hudson Kimball, a poet and writer refer to Ali, as “The greatest.” He also marveled at his courage in reciting poems about upcoming boxing matches. One famous poem was called Rumble in the Jungle and referred to his upcoming bout with George Foreman.
The film is a reminder of what this amazing man contributed to the world on so many levels. He shows continued courage in his fight with Parkinson’s disease and his work with many charities.
Facing Ali will premiere on Spike TV in early 2010
