From the director of Training Day and produced by LeBron James.
Muhammad Ali was the greatest – not just as an athlete, but as a charismatic public figure, a force of political change and a human being.
We will never tire of hearing tales of his life.
Ali sadly passed away in 2016, but his influence and stature have not diminished one iota.
And as a testament to this, HBO is readying a brilliant-looking new documentary on the man’s life and times.
The two-part What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali will be narrated by Ali himself, using archive recordings to tell his story.
It is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer movies), and executive produced by LeBron James.
Clip via HBO
The official synopsis reads:
What’s My Name | Muhammad Ali explores Ali’s challenges, confrontations, comebacks and triumphs through recordings of his own voice.
The two-part documentary paints an intimate portrait of a man who was a beacon of hope for oppressed people around the world and, in his later years, was recognised as a global citizen and a symbol of humanity and understanding.
Alongside using Ali himself to guide viewers through his journey, What’s My Name | Muhammad Ali features archival footage, some of it previously unseen.
“Muhammad Ali transcended sports in a way the world had never seen before,” said LeBron James in a press release.
“It’s an honour to have the opportunity to tell his incredible and important story for the coming generations. He showed us all the courage and conviction it takes to stand up for what you believe in.
“He changed forever what we expect a champion to be, and I’m grateful that SpringHill gets to be a part of continuing his legacy.”
The doc will air on HBO in the US on 14 May – there is no word of an Irish release date just yet.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
