BUNDINI: If Muhammad Ali was the GOAT… that makes Bundini Brown the shepherd.
Patrick was commissioned by Hamilcar Publications to direct and produce a documentary and book trailer on Bundini Brown, Muhammad Ali’s trainer/Svengali. Using archival footage, personal photos and first-person interviews, ‘Bundini’ shines a spotlight on the man behind “the Greatest.” The 25-minute doc is a companion piece to "Bundini: Don’t Believe the Hype,” a biography written by Todd. D. Snyder. ‘Bundini’ debuted on Boxing’s Bible of Boxing, The RING TV, where it has accumulated over 200K+ views online. The film premiered at the 2021 Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival, before going on a worldwide festival run across the US and across the globe (Australia, Kenya, Spain, Netherlands).
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Who is your Bundini?
A Bundini shows you the truth about yourself.
A Bundini is a beacon of light when you’re lost in the darkness.
A Bundini gets you up in the morning when all you want to do is hit snooze.
For Muhammad Ali, that person was Drew “Bundini” Brown. Brown remains one of boxing’s most mysterious and misunderstood figures. Cornerman and confidant to two of the greatest fighters ever―Sugar Ray Robinson and Ali―Brown lived an extraordinary American life. Brown’s impact on the sport and the culture at large is undeniable, yet his story has been largely untold… until now.
The first-ever documentary on Bundini, uses archival footage, family photos, and narration by “Bundini” biographer Todd D. Snyder and Brown’s only son, Drew III, to paint a poetic profile of the master motivator whose spiritual philosophies on race and religion are as relevant today as ever.
I believe that the best projects choose you. The opportunity to tell this fascinating story was brought to me as I was juggling the daily struggles of indie filmmaking while becoming a father in the time of Covid-19. Bundini’s eternal optimist spirit swept its way into this homespun project which was completed during quarantine in my apartment. After months of editing remotely at night, while taking care of my infant son during the day, I was running on empty. But, at the crack of every morning, I would hear Bundini’s voice in my ear, barking at me to “get the gas,” a term he used to motivate Ali to do pre-dawn road work (running). The thing that kept me going was the power of filmmaking. Seeing the edit come together. Digging up archival footage on the internet. Pouring over coffee-stained photos of young Ali and Bundini as they prepared to “shock the world” versus Sonny Liston. All while hearing Bundini’s voice pushing me to the final round, or in this case cut.
I hope this film will let us reflect on that special person in our life that motivates us to be the best version of ourselves. We all have a "Bundini" in our lives whether it be a tough-love parent, spiritual guide, or mystic boxing trainer. The world is changing and with great change comes adversity, hope, and most importantly, opportunity. More than ever we need people who can simply get our ass out of bed in the morning.
Cinema is my Bundini — don’t tell my family.
Who is your Bundini?
-- "Bundini" director/producer Patrick Green
“We all need a Bundini Brown in our lives....”
“This magical documentary brought me back to some of the most wonderful years of my life. ”
“We think if you’ve watched Ken Burns’ Muhammad Ali series then you absolutely must watch “Bundini” too because it’s extraordinary from start to finish and gives so much wonderful insight into the life of a man who had a profound influence on Ali’s success.”
“New Bundini Documentary Shows The True Mastermind Behind The Champ’s Roars”
“(Mr.) Green’s film is a stunner that gives us a well rounded portrait of one of the great unsung people of the last half century. ”