MUSCLE
Synopsis
Karimah Ashadu’s slow, measured pans across backs, chests and arms meditate on visibility, drawing attention to the embodiment and representation of the Black male body without rendering it singular or fixed. The metallic clang of barbells is punctuated with guttural sounds of exertion set against the ambience of the streets. Breath and muscle move in syncopated sonic choreography, and the men’s commitment to the ritual of maintaining the body is evident.
Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2026 - Forum Expanded - International Premiere
Details
- Year
- 2025
- Type of project
- Shorts
- Running time
- 22 min
- Director
-
Karimah Ashadu
- Producer
- Leonardo Bigazzi, Alessandro Rabottini
- Co-Producer
- Karimah Ashadu
- Editor
- Karimah Ashadu
- Director of Photography
- Aigberadion Israel Ikhazuangbe
- Production Designer
- Karimah Ashadu
- Sound Design
- Jochen Jezussek, Onu Rosemaryjoy Chiwendu, Joseph Eyo Edem
Genre
Production Status
Production Company
Commissioned by Camden Art Centre (UK), Fondazione In Between Art Film (IT), Renaissance Society, University of Chicago (US)
Italy, UK, US, Germany, Nigeria co-production
In Between Art Film (IT), Karimah Ashadu (DE, UK, NG), Golddust by Ashadu (NG)
Sales Company
Page updates
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