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Analysis of the Documentary Film-When we Were Kings (1996)
Based on analysis of the documentary film "When We Were Kings (1996)" takes us back to 1974, when Muhammad Ali, 32 years of age, met George Foreman, who was ten years younger than Muhammad Ali. The duo engaged in a heavy-weight championship boxing of all time that took place in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formally known as Zaire. Ideally, the event regarded as "The Rumble in the Jungle" is enshrined as one of the most incredible sports events of the time and was also cultural and political (Campbell, 2018). Therefore, this paper aims to review and analyze "When We Were Kings (1996)" documentary film.
Ideally, based on the review of this film, it introduces us to a plethora of memorable characters who outline the cultural importance of "The Rumble in the Jungle." However, the actual fight is not an afterthought. Additionally, the cultural perspective in the documentary film is evident in the big fight, where music festivals featuring big stars such as James Brown, and Miriam Makeba, among others, took place (Campbell, 2018). Moreover, other aspects of cultural aspects in this film are seen when Ali states with characteristic grandiosity, “is the first assembly of the American black man in Africa in the history of the world.” Notably, racial politics permeated during the event, but Ali seized it. In commemorating the two boxers, there are different initiatives such as athletes established such as athletic and boxing academies. One of such initiatives is Muhammad Ali Center, which works in collaboration with Louisville TKO Boxing Gym, which pilot a four-week cohort based on the initiative "Champions Are Not Made in Gym." This program primarily supports young teenagers in discovering their potential in the ring and provides them with the tools for a successful future in their communities. The same cases apply to the commemoration of George Foreman, where other trainers have established various training academies for the community to benefit.
Based on the article posted by Susan Ryan stating that Ali v. Foreman fight can be considered discourse on black identity, this is very true. The statement considers two black men in America during the American era of racial segregation (When We Were Kings, n.d). The bold assertion that appears to depict a contrasting articulation of blackness in the film was discomforting to whites and blacks. Most whites had no idea about the Islam culture and its ideology of black separatism; this challenged almost everything they thought they understood about African- Americans, which opened a window to the complexity and diversity of black identity. Based on the analysis of the film, women and their bodies at large have been used as an instrument of entertainment, not only by men but the public at large.
Superlatively, diaspora hybridity and circulation of the black population with their popular cultures are the primary concepts evident in the documentary film under consideration. The fact that this fight was organized and hosted in Zaire, Africa, and brought on board people from diverse backgrounds and cultures has affirmed the issue of diaspora hybridity and integration with the black population. In the review of this film, what I found compelling was based on the aspect of cultural and political integration, despite the experience of racial discrimination or segregation between the black population. This appeared to reduce the increased discrimination of the time.
References
Campbell, C. (2018). - Documentary Classics: 'When We Were Kings.' Retrieved on July 8, 2022, from https://nonfics.com/documentary-classics-when-we-were-kings-431314ba8adf/
When We Were Kings. (n.d). Part 1. Retrieved from https://online.fiu.edu/videos/?vpvid=67e8cdc1-2271-465b-9f99-4615c0b59fae
When We Were Kings. (n.d). Part 2. Retrieved from https://online.fiu.edu/videos/?vpvid=b8f47436-692e-47c1-b585-470d3e8fff53
When We Were Kings Part. (n.d). Part 3. Retrieved from https://online.fiu.edu/videos/?vpvid=f3d7040e-d55d-450e-973a-302b11ef5fad