Stylebender is an intimate look at Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian born New Zealand based MMA champion, which goes beyond the octagon and delves deep into an unlikely fighter's journey. Exploring Adesanya’s experiences of masculinity, bullying, mental health, and the healing power of dance, the film is a poignant examination of the complex, exciting, and sometimes controversial figure known as 'The Last Stylebender.'
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Who is Israel Adesanya?
00:03Israel Adesanya!
00:05The best middleweight on planet Earth.
00:10I was an outsider, and then I tried to fit in, but I wasn't meant to fit in.
00:17Dancing helped me discover using your anger as fuel.
00:21They don't teach you how to be famous, so I've had to learn this shit myself.
00:26He wears his emotions on his sleeve.
00:28And in this sport, that's pretty abnormal.
00:33I still struggle. I'm just fighting through everything.
00:36I have to make him understand what's going to keep him focused is his love for the sport.
00:41He never let me not be me.
00:43I remind myself I'm human. I'm able to just go forth in my life.
00:50I want to represent for my younger self, because I remember feeling helpless.
00:55Only a few have managed to beat that demon.
01:00If you're in front of me, I'm going to use you as a canvas to show off my art.
01:05I'm chasing greatness.
01:09I find comfort in the uncomfortable.
01:14I've got his back.
01:16I will make today count.
01:20Who is Israel Adesanya?
01:25Try and put me in a box.
01:27That's the story you're telling yourself, but that's not the truth.