One of Aotearoa’s most dominant sporting exports is giving fans a peek behind the curtain with a new documentary.
‘Stylebender’, a feature-length documentary about Kiwi UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya premiered at Tribeca Film Festival today.
Taking to Instagram, Adesanya said the documentary will show parts of his personality that were previously hidden from fans.
“This film will showcase sides of me never before seen,” he wrote. “I am a very private person with my personal life, so being vulnerable on here hits different. Can’t wait for yous to see it”.
Credit: Instagram.com/stylebender
Appearing on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Izzy shared that the doco will also cover his early life. He also specifically encouraged men to watch it but added that he believes women will enjoy it too.
“It's a documentary about my professional life so far and a little bit of my childhood. I've watched the film twice now,” he said. “I watched it when it was first [finished], and I watched it just recently as well, and the first thing I'd say is men need to see this, men need to watch this film.”
“Not just men, they tested it with over 500 people and they said women loved it because we still have a feminine side and a masculine side - I'm in touch with both."
Tribeca’s description of the film, directed by Kiwi Zoe McIntosh, states “McIntosh traces Adesanya’s UFC career starting with his 2019 middleweight title win. In the process, she unwraps a fascinating portrait of the modern athlete, charismatic and complex in equal measure.”
It will mostly feature Izzy and his coach, CityKickboxing’s Eugene Bareman, during its hour and 42-minute runtime.
There is no official word on when Kiwis will be able to view ‘Stylebender’, though Te Waha Nui reports that watching online will be an option. We’ll keep you updated on when it’s available to watch here in NZ.
