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 with the support of Screen Scotland.
The film had its world premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival earlier this year. It will have previews across all U.K. locations of the Vue cinema chain on Oct. 12 as part of the BFI: Presents strand and will open countrywide on Oct. 13. As part of Black History Month, there will also be event screenings at select sites into October and November in partnership with The New Black Film Collective where Cosmic Cat will be running a pay-what-you-decide ticketing offer.
Cosmic Cat specializes in social impact cinema releases and is a regular collaborator with Ken Loach and Paul Laverty’s Sixteen Films having worked on national impact campaigns for “I, Daniel Blake,” “Sorry We Missed You” and “The Old Oak,” which is currently on release.
Watch the trailer here: