Michael X – born Michael de Freitas in Trinidad and Tobago – was a black revolutionary and civil rights activist in 1960s London. He was also known as Michael Abdul Malik and Abdul Malik. Convicted of murder in 1972, Michael X was executed by hanging in 1975 in Port of Spain’s Royal Jail.

Now a documentary feature on his life is currently in the works, Shadow and Act has learned, with Goalpost Film and Noah Media Group teaming up to produce the film, with Clint Dyer co-directing with Gabriel Clarke.

The film, which promises an honest, warts-and-all chronicling of Michael X’s life, will also dig into his execution which has been the subject of conspiracy theories over the year. His daughters will appear in the documentary to tell their side of the story; in addition, the film will consider new evidence to determine whether X’s hanging was justified.

Long-time S&A readers will be familiar with director Clint Dyer (who’s also currently developing a new play on Michael X) and his work, as we highlighted his 2010 tour de force performance in the dramatic feature “SUS” – a film that I strongly recommend.

Dyer’s co-director Clarke previously co-directed the 2015 feature documentary “Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans” (with John McKenna), which was an Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival that year.

Noah Media’s Victoria Barrell and John McKenna will produce “Michael X,” with Goalpost’s Tristan Whalley and Jessie Mangum executive producing the project, which will be shopped to international buyers at the Cannes Film Market next month.