Justin Afifi - When We Were Kings

Directed by: Leon Gast

When We Were Kings is a documentary centered on the epic "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight title match of 1974 between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in the country of Zaire. The documentary shows Ali and Foreman's different experiences as they prepare for the rumble, as well as the soul festival that featured such artists as James Brown and the Spinners. The supposedly past his prime Ali spends his time training and connecting with the people of Africa. While the imposing force of George Foreman is jeered by the people that he assumed would love him simply because he was a black man.

The star of the documentary is Ali. He was always known as one of (if not the) most charismatic figures in sports, but the film puts Ali in perspective. He wasn't just entertaining but he was a great human being. Although he was a visitor to Africa he constantly mentioned how he finally felt he was home. He had all of Zaire cheering for him, and against Foreman. We also see an emotional Ali as he talks about how America turned on him after refusing to go to Vietnam, a move that would cost him the same heavyweight title he was fighting for.

The film is a talking head type documentary as it has several commentators interviewed to discuss the impact of the fight and the experience. Notable interviewees include Norman Mailer, Spike Lee, George Plimpton, and Thomas Hauser. Each of them has a story to tell, or an experience with Ali and explain the cultural phenomenon that was the "Rumble in the Jungle." The film does a tremendous job of not only showing the cultural significance but also building a fight that has happened decades ago and making it interesting to those who have and haven't had the opportunity to see it.