"Cassius Ali" Chosen Weeks Ago Now a Tribute to Muhammad Ali During San Francisco Black Film Festival, June 16-19

San Francisco-  As the world pays tribute to Champion Muhammad Ali, the San Francisco Black Film Festival is honored to have chosen "Cassius Ali" as part of its official selection weeks before the death of America's "Greatest." 

Photo from "Cassius Ali" shows Muhammad Ali, who grew up as "Cassius Clay, Jr." is seen with his younger brother, Rahaman Ali (born Rudolph Arnett Clay).  The film was written, directed and produced by Evan Bochetto and produced and by Dan Pastewka.

Media interested in interviewing Los Angeles based Evan J. Bochetto, also the curator and executive director of the Muhammad Ali Childhood Home Museum, who is presently in Louisville, KY visiting Ali's childhood home, can reach him at ebochetto@gmail.com. Dan Pastewka, also a Los Angeles based producer and writer be can reached at daniel.pastewka@gmail.com.

The childhood home of Muhammad Ali owned by Bochetto was featured on the front page of yesterday's Wall Street Journal. "Cassius Ali" features never before seen footage of the home as Rahaman Ali gives a tour with vivid memories of growing up there. According to promotional publicity,  "The film explores the stage that was set which ultimately led to one of the greatest civil rights and religious leaders the World has ever known, tracing Muhammad Ali's incredible life journey, starting with the love of his adoring mother, Odessa Clay, his father, Cassius, Sr., and his brother, Rudolph Clay, at 3302 Grand Avenue, Louisville, KY." 

From the desk of Jackie Wright:

I extend condolences to the family, friends and fans of Muhammad Ali. The passing of "The Greatest" has saddened our hearts. The film "Cassius Ali" was recognized for its significance and was added to the festival lineup weeks before the death of America's Great Champion, in and outside of the ring.  In my opinion, his passing has made the work of filmmakers Evan J.  Bochetto and Dan Pastewka sublimely significant to the San Francisco Black Film Festival.  We mourn our loss of Muhammad Ali with the world, yet celebrate his life and triumphs.

I recall that my family lived in Louisville, Kentucky just prior to moving on the military base of Fort Knox, Kentucky in the early '60's around the time Ali was proving himself first as an Olympian followed by becoming a professional boxer. Didn't know at the time when I was the only Black in a White elementary school while waiting for military housing on base that I was an oddity or that Ali had been denied to eat at a Louisville lunch counter even after winning the Gold Medal for Boxing.  

My father, Sp5 Wyley Wright Jr., was a boxing enthusiast as were most of the military men I was honored to grow up around.  Our home was filled with "Saturday Night Boxing" which was a little too torrid for my eyes, but I grew up hearing names like Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay.   My dad was just a few weeks away from his year long tour of duty in Vietnam when Liston and Clay ( He had not changed his name at that time) fought in February of 1964.   March 9, 1964 my Dad died in Vietnam, serving the United States of America as an honor guard for Secretary of State Robert S. McNamara.  My Dad, Sp5 Wyley Wright Jr. a native of Jacksonville, Fl,  chose to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Korean War when he was sixteen, so when President Kennedy said go to Vietnam to only be "Advisors," there was no denying his "Commander and Chief."  Even so, knowing the commitment of my father and others to military service,  I have always respected Ali for his strength in standing up for the sake of his conscience not to fight in the Vietnam War and declare "Just take me to jail."   To me, Muhammad Ali, will always be the true "Louisville Slugger" with a heart of gold.  He will be missed." Jackie Wright

"Cassius Ali"- A documentary short  screens, Saturday, June 18th, between 12 noon and 2 p.m. at the Buriel Clay Theater in the African American Arts and Culture Complex. Visit http://sfbff.org/wordpress/?p=3494 for details. Stay tuned for Updates.

Scholar Ishmael Reed, Author of "The Complete Muhammed Ali" Remembers "The Greatest"