Sometimes you just get bushwhacked at the cinema. Turn up for one of these Secret Screenings at your local multiplex and you’ve no idea what’s going to be shown. I’d never even heard of this picture, much less seen a trailer (and it’s due for release on Oct 30) and never heard of the main character, a female Muslim refugee in Britain who turns into a world champion boxer and represents her country of origin, Somalia, at the Olympics.
In truth, the tale would have been much better told as a documentary because a) it is at least 20 minutes too long b) often relapses into airy fairy artistic shots and c) ain’t half as dramatic as the material could be. There’s a Chariots of Fire moment when our boxer beats the odds with a clever use, but otherwise it doesn’t seem to get beneath the skin of the main characters.
Ramla Ali (Jasmine Jobson) takes up boxing to lose weight. Her parents are kept in the dark because they’ll most likely object and are intent on marrying her off to a nice Muslim boy. She’s taken on at a gym by coach Clinton (Gershwyn Eustache Jr) and also meets Richard (Finn Cole) who takes a shine to her, though romance is off the table given he is white and non-Muslim. Interestingly, she’s not as dedicated to the sport as Clinton would like, in part because she’s ducking and diving to avoid her parents and strict older brother, but also in part because…we don’t know why. Eventually, however, she starts to get bouts and wins enough to come to the attention of the Team GB Olympics Boxing team. But she doesn’t make the grade there because…we don’t know why.
Anyways, Richard decides to convert to Islam and marries her, much to the fury of her family. And then in a Chariots of Fire moment she decides to set up a one-person boxing team for Somalia to compete in the Olympics which is where the film ends, family and community finally coming round. She doesn’t win an Olympic medal it has to be said so it’s not as triumphant as it might be. In fact, it’s not triumphant at all, how her career pans out ends up in the credits.
There are two main problems. Firstly, it’s too long and therefore too slow with too much time spent on artistic compositions that don’t have any impact on the narrative. But, more importantly, because Ramla comes across as a Jekyll and Hyde character. In the big wide world she can more than handle herself, ready with a barbed quip to deter anyone taking her for granted. But in her home she’s a mouse, never challenging parents or strict brother, just sneaking out in the early mornings and evenings to go training. Eventually, she’s rumbled because one of her fights is shown on television, to family outrage.
Films about female boxers have generally tanked at the box office and this looks as if it’s scarcely going to get a release in this country. Nobody wanted to see Sydney Sweeney as Christy (2025) or Michelle Rodriguez in Girlfight (2001) although Clint Eastwood made a bundle on Hilary Swank as the Million Dollar Baby (2004), which also scooped Oscars for Eastwood and Swank. So it’s a tough call to find a story that resonates enough to become a fulfilling drama.
And Ramla Ali wasn’t in fact the world’s first female Muslim boxing champ – that honor went to Australian Bianca Bam Bam Emir, born in Lebanon.
It’s definitely attempting to win the inspirational gold and in pure biopic terms that’s fine but as a proper drama comes up short.
Jasmine Jobson (Bird, 2024) is okay but her part is underwritten as is that of Finn Cole (Last Breath, 2025). Gershwyn Eustache Jr (The Man in My Basement, 2025) has the meatiest part.
Director Anthony Wonke is best known for documentaries so can be forgiven for padding this out with artistic flourishes. Written by Ursula Rani Sarma (A Beautiful Imperfection, 2024).
You’ll probably be able to catch this on streaming sometime soon.
