City of Ali

2021

1h 21m

Documentary

List

89%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

City of Ali is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of how the death of Muhammad Ali brought the people of his Kentucky hometown – and the world – together for one unforgettable week. Ali’s passing on June 3, 2016, came in the context of a bitter U.S. presidential election, a proposed Muslim ban and the global expansion of the Black Lives Matter movement. Yet on the day of Ali’s funeral procession, more than 100,000 people lined the streets of Louisville to celebrate his life, and an estimated one billion people worldwide watched events like Ali’s memorial, held in the packed KFC YUM! Center as stories of the Louisville Lip’s wit, generosity, swagger and commitment to justice were retold by President Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal, Lonnie Ali, and many others. City of Ali explores Ali’s lifelong relationship with his hometown through candid interviews with friends and relatives whose history with The Champ dates back to his childhood at 3302 Grand Avenue, and who share stories even devoted Ali fans have never heard. We also get behind-the scenes accounts of this unprecedented celebration of one man’s life from those who planned the events. We also hear thoughtful reflections from visitors such as NBC’s Craig Melvin, TV legend Dick Cavett, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, 4-time Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield, ESPN’s Hannah Storm and many others who gathered in Louisville to answer the question, “How do you say good-bye to The Greatest?”

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Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

The film is decidedly hagiographic but, in a time of heightened racial unrest, it's worth being reminded of the fighter Ali's origins.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 21, 2021

Full Review

Odie Henderson

RogerEbert.com

Like many of the onscreen interviewees, I found myself tearing up several times, even when I knew the film was taking quick jabs at my tear ducts.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 4, 2021

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

Muhammad Ali is probably already the most dramatized and documentarized athlete in film history, and "City of Ali" makes for an extremely lightweight addition to the former heavyweight champion's cinematic universe.

Jun 3, 2021

Full Review

Charles Solomon

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It really is quite moving. It's a little too long... but an interesting film altogether.

Jun 8, 2021

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

City of Ali could be longer but the documentary is a solid addition to the Muhammad Ali film canon--one that comes with a Louisville-based lens.

Jun 4, 2021

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

The death of Breonna Taylor...dampens, in ways the filmmakers could not have foreseen, an upbeat film

Rated: 3/4

Jun 4, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

Ali was bigger than boxing, bigger than Louisville and bigger than life! This file shone a shining light on the celebration of Ali's life, and most of all, his personal toucherization of everyday people. Ali was a force that will likely never be seen again. Ali-Boom-Ba-YYR!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Amazing film that focuses on the impact he had as a human on his community. Beautiful storyline, footage and overall execution.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

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Graham Shelby

Director

Muhammad Ali

Actor

Rahman Ali

Actor

Rasheda Ali Walsh

Actor

Bill Clinton

Actor

Evander Holyfield

Actor

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Synopsis

City of Ali is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of how the death of Muhammad Ali brought the people of his Kentucky hometown – and the world – together for one unforgettable week. Ali’s passing on June 3, 2016, came in the context of a bitter U.S. presidential election, a proposed Muslim ban and the global expansion of the Black Lives Matter movement. Yet on the day of Ali’s funeral procession, more than 100,000 people lined the streets of Louisville to celebrate his life, and an estimated one billion people worldwide watched events like Ali’s memorial, held in the packed KFC YUM! Center as stories of the Louisville Lip’s wit, generosity, swagger and commitment to justice were retold by President Bill Clinton, Billy Crystal, Lonnie Ali, and many others. City of Ali explores Ali’s lifelong relationship with his hometown through candid interviews with friends and relatives whose history with The Champ dates back to his childhood at 3302 Grand Avenue, and who share stories even devoted Ali fans have never heard. We also get behind-the scenes accounts of this unprecedented celebration of one man’s life from those who planned the events. We also hear thoughtful reflections from visitors such as NBC’s Craig Melvin, TV legend Dick Cavett, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, 4-time Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield, ESPN’s Hannah Storm and many others who gathered in Louisville to answer the question, “How do you say good-bye to The Greatest?”

Director: Graham Shelby
Production Co: Song Stew Entertainment
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 4, 2021
Runtime: 1h 21m

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