Mumbai: Filming has begun in London for ‘In the Shadows,’ the true story of refugee Ramla Ali who secretly pursued boxing without her parents’ knowledge to become the first Somali-British professional boxing champion.
BAFTA-winning actor Jasmine Jobson, known for her role as Jaq in Netflix’s Top Boy and Andrea Arnold’s Bird, will portray the Somali-British professional boxer, model, and UNICEF ambassador. Finn Cole (Last Breath, Peaky Blinders, Fast & Furious 9) will star as her husband, Richard Moore, while Gershwyn Eustache Jr (Andor, Small Axe, Fortitude) plays her boxing coach. Ramla Ali and Richard Moore will serve as executive producers.
‘In the Shadows’ is directed by Emmy Award and three-time BAFTA-winning documentary filmmaker Anthony Wonke (Dettori, Syria: Children on the Frontline, Ronaldo) who will make his narrative fiction film debut.
The film is presented by Civic Studios, a global media company that creates entertainment with social impact. Anushka Shah, CEO of Civic Studios commented, ‘Ramla’s story is truly inspiring and deserves to be heard by audiences around the world. It’s a story of perseverance in the face of adversity, the immigrant experience, and most importantly, of a champion boxer.’
Ramla Ali said, “My aim is to become an ambassador and role model for women’s boxing. To inspire other young girls who suffer from bullying and body weight issues. To land the message that through boxing, you are not just physically rewarded but mentally reborn. Boxing was a way for me to step out of the shadows; to express myself and to inspire others, especially women, to create the confidence we all need to live a happy and healthy life.”
Anthony Wonke said, “There is no doubt Jasmine Jobson is one of Britain’s finest and most exciting actors out there today 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.”
The film is executive produced by Zygi Kamasa for True Brit Entertainment, Will Clarke, Andy Mayson and Mike Runagall for Altitude, Anushka Shah for Civic Studios, Richard Fearn and Jane Reid Fearn at Affine Films, Natasha Mudhar for The World We Want Studios, Anne Sheehan, Ramla Ali and Richard Moore.
The screenplay is written by playwright and screenwriter Ursula Rani Sarma (Bodkin, Delicious). Award-winning Christopher Aoun (Capernaum) is the cinematographer and Kharmel Cochrane (A Quiet Place: Day One, Saltburn, Rye Lane) is casting the film.
True Brit Entertainment, the distributor of independent British feature films, will release the film in 2025 in cinemas across the UK and Ireland, with Altitude handling International Sales.
‘In the Shadows’ goes beyond a typical sports drama, addressing social issues and themes of identity, belonging, family, love, and faith. The film follows Ramla Ali’s journey within a strict Muslim family in London’s East End, highlighting her pursuit of self-discovery and empowerment. It shows her efforts to assert her identity and voice within her religious and cultural context, while also shedding light on the challenges faced by Somali British Muslim women and similar communities worldwide.
Ramla Ali’s determination and drive helped her overcome significant challenges both in and out of the boxing ring, breaking gender barriers and cultural stereotypes. Her achievements include being the first boxer to represent Somalia at the 2020 Olympic Games and winning the first professional female boxing match in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Ali earned her first professional IBF intercontinental title at Superbantam weight at Madison Square Garden and was named one of TIME magazine’s Women of the Year.
