Official Trailer for Doc ‘Stylebender’ on MMA Champ Israel Adesanya

Official Trailer for Doc ‘Stylebender’ on MMA Champ Israel Adesanya

by Alex Billington
August 12, 2024
Source: YouTube

“I remind myself I’m human. I’m able to just go forth in my life.” Gravitas has revealed an official US trailer for a documentary film titled Stylebender, from New Zealand director Zoe McIntosh. This first premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival last year, and opened in New Zealand already a year ago. Now it’s arriving on VOD in the US to watch. Stylebender is about the world champion acclaimed fighter Israel Adesanya – a Nigerian-New Zealand professional MMA, kickboxer, and former boxer. He currently fights in the UFC’s Middleweight division, which is where most will recognize him. Following Adesanya’s early life, upbringing, and his decision to pursue mixed martial arts professionally. It’s about “a boy fighting to become the man he was destined to be. Will he find something to fight for, or will he become what he hates the most?” Tribeca adds: “UFC fanatics and those who have never seen a match will find Adesanya’s journey toward greatness captivating, engrossing, and illustrative of the larger-than-life personality you need to succeed.” This looks like a properly inspiring and uplifting doc that breaks right through the tough guy fighter cliche. Get a look.

Here’s the official trailers (+ new poster) for Zoë McIntosh’s doc Stylebender, direct from YouTube:

Stylebender is an intimate look at former world champion Israel Adesanya – the Nigerian born, New Zealand based MMA competitor, 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.” Stylebender is directed by Kiwi filmmaker Zoë McIntosh, of the films Lost in Wonderland and The Deadly Ponies Gang, episodes of “Dark Tourist”, plus many music videos & short films previously. Produced by Tom Blackwell, Fraser Brown, Leela Menon. This initially premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival last year and opened in NZ in August 2023. Gravitas will release McIntosh’s Stylebender direct-to-VOD in the US starting September 24th, 2024 this fall. Any good? Want to watch?

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