MIAMI, FL, OCTOBER 19th, 2007 - Muhammad Ali is clearly one of the most compelling sports figures ever, and one that perhaps best engages our consciousness. For a man who etched his name(s) into our nation’s cultural lexicon, it seems that no amount of coverage is too much; we are always willing to hear another story about The Greatest of All Time. His excellence, his principles, his bravado, his physical and mental endurance, the silken grace with which he fought and the dogged determination with which he navigated a hostile world. These are attributes we collectively embrace, and we thirst for their source.
The new documentary Muhammad Ali: Made In Miami examines the champion’s years in the Magic city as some of his most formative, the crucial time of transformation that rendered the talented Cassius Clay into the larger-than-life legendary Ali. Produced by South Florida’s preeminent documentary makers, the film airs on WLRN Channel 17 on November 19th, 2007. It delves into the societal shifts of the sixties, set against the backdrop of booming and volatile Miami, tracking not only Ali’s sporting ascent as a recent Olympic gold medalist and budding professional, but also his tribulations as a black man in America contemplating conversion to Islam.
Muhammad Ali: Made in Miami touches on so many resonant points: Angelo Dundee and his 5th Street Gym, Ali’s meeting with the Beatles, his friendship with Malcolm X, and his stunning victory over Sonny Liston in 1964. It also looks at the character and makeup of Overtown, where a young Clay lived while training on the Beach, and the composition of Miami’s black community at large. Interviews with neighbors, Dundee and other trainers, and contemporary local sportswriters and photographers are compelling highlights.
Muhammad Ali: Made In Miami contends that the legend’s time in Miami was not merely a warm-up to his wider fame - it was a vital and contributing source of his persona. Without Miami, there might never have been a Muhammad Ali. Made in Miami manages to blend the cultural upheaval of 1960’s Miami with the unique nature of the city and the man, providing a clear picture of the ‘why’ of Ali. WLRN’s documentary is can’t-miss, must-see viewing for anyone interested in the history and motivations of a great man – an inspiration to millions - and the great town that formed him.
The world premiere screening of Muhammad Ali: Made In Miami will be held on November 15th at the Byron Carlyle Theater in Miami Beach. More than 300 guests are expected, including sporting and film celebrities, artists, activist and sportswriters from Ali’s time in Miami. Guests attending will also be treated to various exhibits, stills and promotional materials on display. The regional airing for the film is set for November 19th, 2007 with national airing slated for Fall 2008.
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