Earlier this year, Riz Ahmed was Oscar-nominated for his stunning lead performance in the music drama “Sound Of Metal,” and in many ways, that should boost your excitement for a somewhat similar music drama, “Mogul Mowgli.” But the timing of this indie couldn’t be better because now the anticipation for the film has to be even higher: award-winning filmmaker Bassam Tariq, the “Mogul Mowgli” director, has been chosen to direct Marvel’s “Blade,” which has got to be a big co-sign on ‘Mowgli’ considering not that many people have seen it and Tariq really hasn’t made a lot of more notable films other than the celebrated indie doc “These Birds Walk” (which earned Tariq the title of a Filmmaker to watch by Filmmaker Magazine). So yes, “Mogul Mowgli” is perfect timing for its release as curiosity about the picture will be at an all-time high and note that it’s Tariq’s debut narrative feature, so that makes the Marvel interest all the more impressive.
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As suggested, it seems to have a similar tone to “Sound of Metal.” That movie’s about identity: a man stripped of his identity as a drummer, rocker, a way-of-life outsider when he goes deaf and can no longer be a musician. “Mogul Mowgli” is somewhat similar as it’s about an ascending star and British rapper whose rise to fame is struck down by an illness that forces him to face his past, his family, and the uncertainty of his legacy. It’s also a film that premiered at the Berlin Film Festival last year, so we put it on our list of the 25 Best Films Of 2020 You Didn’t See.
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Here’s the official synopsis:
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British Pakistani rapper Zed (Riz Ahmed) is a rising star on the cusp of his first world tour. But, struck down by an illness that threatens to derail his big break, he’s forced to confront his past, his family, and the uncertainty of his legacy. The debut fiction feature from the award-winning documentary filmmaker Bassam Tariq (These Birds Walk) and co-written, produced by and starring the Emmy award-winning Ahmed, Mogul Mowgli is a bold, vital and electrifying exploration of heritage and identity.
“Mogul Mowgli” also stars Alyy Khan, Sudha Buchar and opens in New York and L.A. on September 3 via Strand Releasing. Watch the new trailer below.