From War Refugee to Olympic Boxer: A New Film

The remarkable life of boxer Ramla Ali, a journey from escaping civil war in Somalia to competing in the Tokyo Olympics, is now the subject of a new biopic titled "In the Shadows." Born in Somalia, Ali's family fled the country during her infancy due to conflict, eventually finding refuge in the UK. Growing up in East London, Ali discovered boxing after facing bullying but initially concealed her involvement from her family. Her mother, who had moved heaven and earth to escape violence, would have been devastated to see her daughter in harm's way.

The film's creation was also a journey, with Ali's husband, Richard Moore, explaining that financial struggles in 2018 partly motivated pitching the movie idea. They even resided with friends, including Idris Elba, for a period. Ali expressed initial hesitation about the film's vulnerability, particularly concerning her family's trauma and her mother's feelings. However, her mother insisted on including the scene depicting her brother Abdulkadir's death, an event that profoundly altered their family's trajectory and led them to the UK.

Ali emphasizes that the film is not a political statement on immigration but rather a humanizing portrayal of migrant experiences, countering the often negative discourse. She highlights that positive migrant stories, which are more representative of individuals building lives and careers in new countries, rarely receive media attention. Ali herself is a testament to this, having become the first Muslim woman to win an English amateur boxing title in 2015 and later representing Somalia at the Tokyo Olympics.

Actress Jasmine Jobson, who portrays Ali, also spoke about her personal connection to the role, noting shared experiences of overcoming adversity. Jobson found inspiration in Ali's resilience and success, encouraging others to pursue their passions. Jobson, who trained rigorously for the role, learned lines in Somali, including the phrase "I just want you to be proud of me," reflecting a sentiment she shares with Ali.

Both Ali and Jobson are actively involved in storytelling beyond boxing. Ali and Moore have written and directed a comedy film, "Not Like Us," and Ali has explored acting, viewing filmmaking as a similar dedication-intensive pursuit to boxing. She aspires to tell more stories centered on the Black British experience. Jobson, who initially trained to be a personal trainer, also overcame a shoulder injury and childhood adversity, finding her path through a theatre company for care leavers.