“One Night in Miami, directed by Oscar and Emmy-winner Regina King, debuts in select theatres on Christmas, followed by a global launch January 15, 2020, on Amazon Prime Video. This critically acclaimed film is written by Kemp Powers and based on his 2013 stage play. Set on the night of February 25, 1964, the story follows a young Cassius Clay (before becoming Muhammad Ali), as he emerges from the Miami Beach Convention Center, the new World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Against all odds, he defeated Sonny Liston and shocked the sports world. While crowds of people swarm Miami Beach to celebrate the match, Clay is unable to stay on the island because of Jim Crow-era segregation laws and instead spends the night at the Hampton House Motel in one of Miami’s historically black neighborhoods celebrating with three of his closest friends: activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke, and football star Jim Brown. The next morning, the four men emerge determined to define a new world for themselves and their people.
In One Night in Miami, Olivier-nominated writer Kemp Powers explores what happened during these pivotal hours through the dynamic relationship between the four men and how their friendship, paired with their shared struggles, fueled their path to becoming the civil rights icons they are today.
Following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, this strong contender achieved critical raves across the board, quickly garnering awards buzz in this year’s Oscar race. The film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr. One Night in Miami has been praised for its timely and compelling performances, with a knockout feature directorial debut from Regina King based off Kemp Powers’ bold story.
Regina King said, “To complete and release a film within the same year is a difficult task. We welcomed the challenge because we knew now was the time for this film to be released. Amazon fully supported our intention, and I could not be more excited this prescient story will be seen across the globe.”
Danielle Sanders is a writer and journalist living in Chicago. Find her on social media @daniesandersofficial.
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