East London-Based Romantic Comedy ‘Not Like Us’ Wraps Production

Writer-director duo Ramla Ali and Richard A. Moore have wrapped production in East London on their debut feature ‘Not Like Us’, a romantic comedy starring Sabrina Elba and Ashley Thomas.

The film, which explores themes of love, desire, and the right to choose one’s own happiness, is set in the Somali community in East London and follows the story of Amina Hassan, a single mother who defies her family and culture by falling in love with a Jamaican man.

Amina Hassan, played by Sabrina Elba, is a 40-something pharmacist and a single mother who has built everything herself, including her business, reputation, and beautiful, controlled life. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Edmund Clarke, played by Ashley Thomas, a man who has other ideas for her.

The official synopsis of the film reads: ‘Amina Hassan is a forty-something pharmacist and a single mother who has built everything herself: her business, her reputation, her beautiful, controlled life, and she would like it to stay that way. Edmund Clarke has other ideas.’

The film also stars Sofia Oxenham and features a talented ensemble cast, including the three community aunties, Hawa, Safia, and Maryam, who have decided that what Amina needs is a husband. Never mind that their own marriages could generously be described as works in progress.

‘Not Like Us’ is a story about love, desire, and the right to choose your own happiness, told entirely from within the community it depicts.

Ali and Moore, who co-wrote and co-directed the film, have a direct connection with the material. The pair married in 2016, and Moore, a white British man, converted to Islam. Ali was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and grew up in East London. Ali is also a former Olympic boxer. Her life will be chronicled in the feature biopic ‘In The Shadows’, which will be released in UK cinemas in October.

Not Like Us was independently financed after what Ali and Moore described as difficulties working within the traditional British funding infrastructure. Sunita Mirchandani Hyams and Luke Hyams of Pangaea Group produced the feature alongside Andrew Conrad and Gina Carter of 22 Summers, with Ali and Moore. The executive producer is Richard Fearn of Affine Films.

The production team is aiming for a 2027 launch.

Ali’s life will be chronicled in the feature biopic ‘In The Shadows’, which will be released in UK cinemas in October. ‘In The Shadows’ is a biopic about Ali’s life as a boxer, and it will give audiences a glimpse into her life as a champion boxer and a mother.

The film is a testament to the power of love and the right to choose one’s own happiness, and it is a must-see for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy.

The production team is excited about the film’s potential and is looking forward to its release in 2027.