Documentary filmmaker Anthony Wonke is making his narrative directorial debut with In The Shadows. More on the boxing biopic below.
In The Shadows, Anthony Wonke’s narrative directorial debut, has just begun production in London. The film will chronicle the life and career of British boxer Ramla Ali. She will be portrayed in the film by Jasmine Jobson while Peaky Blinders’ Finn Cole will portray her husband Richard Moore.
Wonke has directed several acclaimed documentaries, but In The Shadows finds the filmmaker tackle a true story by the way of fiction for the first time. Ali pursued her boxing dreams without her parents’ knowledge but in 2021, she became the first ever Somali to represent her country in the Olympics.
“There is no doubt Jasmine Jobson is one of Britain’s finest and most exciting actors out there today,” Wonke said in a press release, “and brings an incredible intelligence and emotionally raw honesty to her roles. Ramla’s story is one of perseverance and bravery against the odds and we couldn’t be more delighted to have an actor that so connects and empathises with Ramla’s story in such a profound way.”
Jobson is best known for her part as Jaq in Top Boy, a role which earned her a BAFTA.
“It’s a complete honour to take on the role of Ramla and to be trusted to help share her incredible story,” the actress said. “Not only to celebrate her talent, strength, and determination as a boundary-breaking athlete – but also as an incredibly inspirational Somali woman who has overcome huge adversity. Her experience of arriving in the UK as a refugee is important and has the power to educate and empower people at a time of so much division. I’m thrilled to get started.”
Of Jobson’s casting, Ramla Ali herself has said: “I, along with everyone else, fell in love with Jasmine after seeing her incredible performance as Jaq in Top Boy. She understands more than anyone the true experience of growing up in London and fighting for yourself and your place in this world. She brings with her an incredible amount of authenticity, rawness, and real emotion that can’t be taught. I couldn’t be more excited to see her embody me on the screen.”
Here’s an early synopsis of In The Shadows:
It was at the boxing club where Ramla trained that she met her future husband, Richard Moore, who converted to Islam – a testament to his profound love for her. At its heart, “In the Shadows” is a unique love story woven into a rich family drama that showcases the challenges and triumphs of Ramla and Richard, a mixed-race couple. As they navigate racial and cultural barriers, their shared strength and mutual support sets them apart as role models for a new generation.
More on In The Shadows as we hear it.
