Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali, a documentary feature on the legendary icons, Boxer Ali and African American Minister and Human Rights Activist Malcolm X, is set to premiere on Netflix on September 9, the streaming platform announced on Thursday.
The documentary is said to feature archival footage that has never been seen before and is inspired by the book titled Blood Brothers: The Fatal Friendship Between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, written by Randy Roberts and Johnny Smith.
Ali was an American professional boxer, activist and philanthropist born on January 17, 1942. He was known as ‘The Greatest’, and is widely regarded as one of the most significant sporting figures of the 20th century. He died on June 3, 2016, from a septic shock.
Malcolm X, born on May 19, 1925, was one of the prominent faces of the civil rights movement. He was a spokesperson of the Nation of Islam, a religious and political organization, and advocated for black empowerment. He was assassinated at the age of 39.
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali is directed by Marcus A Clarke, who has previously collaborated with Netflix on two documentary series, Unsolved Mysteries and Rapture.
According to Netflix, “Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali tells the extraordinary story behind the friendship of two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century: Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Few people understand the bond these men shared. The charismatic and outspoken Olympic champion who charmed the nation, and the ex-con-turned intellectual revolutionary who railed against the evils of white oppression by speaking truth to power. The message they carry, still as potent and relevant today as ever before. Their bond was undoubtedly deep, their friendship real and their legacies inextricably bound.”
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Director Clarke, in a statement, said that the depth of Malcolm X and Ali’s friendship and the influence the duo had on each other is largely unknown. “Blood Brothers provides a deeper understanding into what made these two men tick, the intense role faith played in their bond and ultimately how their budding friendship came to an abrupt end,” he added.
The documentary is produced by Kenya Barris’s Khalabo Ink Society and Jason Perez, with Erynn Sampson, Simon George, and Lightbox’s Jonathan Chinn and Simon Chinn serving as executive producers.
Lightbox previously produced Netflix’s documentary series Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, the documentary feature Tell Me Who I Am, and the documentary series Diagnosis.
Baris’ Khalabo Ink Society is also producing another upcoming Netflix documentary — on civil rights attorney Ben Crump.