William Klein’s masterful portrait of the Man-So-Mean-He-Made-Medicine-Sick focuses on the lead-ups to and aftermaths of three of his signature fights (both title matches with Sonny Liston in 1964 and 1965, and the Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman in 1974) and, in the process, miraculously manages to touch on nearly everything the three-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world represented. Muhammad Ali, the Greatest is arguably the most complex documentary about an athlete ever made, as attuned to the fascinating sociopolitical climate surrounding the champ as it is to his incomparable achievements within the ring. An exhilarating medley of Ali’s unforgettable press-conference performances and incredible footage showcasing his physical and rhetorical prowess alike, the film argues for his status as one of the key cultural figures of his time.
Free (donations to EJC accepted)
All Ages; $5
EJC is wheelchair accessible.
About William Klein
William Klein (April 19, 1926 – September 10, 2022) was an American photographer and filmmaker noted for his ironic approach to both media and his extensive use of unusual photographic techniques in the context of photojournalism and fashion photography. He was ranked 25th on Professional Photographer's list of 100 most influential photographers.
Klein trained as a painter, studying under Fernand Léger, and found early success with exhibitions of his work. He soon moved on to photography and achieved widespread fame as a fashion photographer for Vogue and for his photo essays on various cities. He directed feature-length fiction films, numerous short and feature-length documentaries and produced over 250 television commercials.