Stylebender (2023)
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 Israel's experiences of masculinity, bullying, mental health and the healing power of dance, the film is a poignant examination of the complex, electrifying and sometimes controversial figure known as 'The Last Stylebender.'
Primary Title
- Stylebender
Date Broadcast
- Monday 4 August 2025
Release Year
- 2023
Start Time
- 20 : 30
Finish Time
- 22 : 20
Duration
- 110:00
Channel
- Whakaata Maori
Broadcaster
- Whakaata Maori
Programme Description
- 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 Israel's experiences of masculinity, bullying, mental health and the healing power of dance, the film is a poignant examination of the complex, electrifying and sometimes controversial figure known as 'The Last Stylebender.'
Classification
- M
Owning Collection
- TV & Radio
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
- Adesanya, Israel
- Mixed martial arts
- Martial artists--New Zealand--Biography
- Nigerians--New Zealand--Biography
- Documentary films--New Zealand
Genres
- Biography
- Documentary
- Sports
Contributors
- Israel Adesanya (Subject)
- Zoe McIntosh (Director)
- Fraser Brown (Producer)
- Leela Menon (Producer)
- Tom Blackwell (Producer)
- Zoe McIntosh (Writer)
- Tom Blackwell (Writer)
- Brendan Donovan (Writer)
- Tammy Williams (Director of Photography)
- Jake Bryant (Director of Photography)
- Gareth Moon (Director of Photography)
- Ian McCarroll (Director of Photography)
- Jeff Sainlar (Director of Photography)
- Peter Roberts (Editor)
- Arli Liberman (Composer)
- FluroBlack (Production Unit)
- New Zealand Film Commission (Funder)
- Janet Redmond (Interviewer)
- Eugene Bareman (Interviewee)
Subjects
- Adesanya, Israel
- Mixed martial arts
- Martial artists--New Zealand--Biography
- Nigerians--New Zealand--Biography
- Documentary films--New Zealand