Filmmaker Maceo Frost captures the formidable Cuban boxer Namibia with rhythmic flair

Date
3 June 2016

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Namibia Flores Rodriguez is Cuba’s female boxer. Since Cuba’s Boxing Federation bans women from the sport, she has undoubtedly become their voice. This stands despite Cuba’s long and noted history of Olympic success in the male contests. The subject of a beautifully shot, rhythmic new short film by Maceo Frost, Namibia proves herself not only as a force of physical prowess, expertly capable boxer, but potently captured on film positioned as a hopeful force for social change.

The film is more than simply a string of inspirational images and displays of physical prowess (though the film makes it clear Namibia is a formidable boxer), it is importantly also deeply personal. Namibia’s voiceover effectively and concisely conveys the narrative, depth coming from its structure and its earnest and determined delivery: she begins by relaying all the many putdowns repeatedly thrown at her over the years: “You are too old for this. Boxing is a sport for men only. All the sacrifice is not worth it. Women are not strong enough for boxing.” Each shot that unfolds concurrently on screen is an act of defiance of these ludicrous statements, Namibia taking the words to heart only as mantras for challenge, milestones to surpass, and people to prove wrong.

Soundscape is incredibly important in Maceo’s films, indeed he proclaims that “rhythm is the secret to everything”. Quintessentially Cuban, Namibia is instantly placed. Naturally, shots of punches landing time with the beat, but the whole short is feverishly rhythmic that it doesn’t seem cliché.

In Maceo’s other recent work in documentary Raised by Krump chronicles a colloquial street dance from Los Angeles, which one of the featured artists describes as "Krump is Buck to me, and what is Buck? The nickname for riding a bull, you see the sporadic movement and it’s uncontrollable. But you can see all the energy from it. Horses do it, and THATS what we do!”

Just as Maceo captures the raw power, determination and positivity Namibia inspires in those around her through the rhythm of the film’s shooting and editing, Raised by Krump is filled with poignant vignettes emotionally transcribing the personality of the featured artists. The film builds to a crescendo of jerky movements captured in and out of slow motion to mimic not only the look, but the feel of the movements, and the giddy equilibrium of the Krump dance expression.

Maceo Frost’s visual flair and direction elevates his short films, beyond typical documentary to become art pieces in their own right filled with personality. Shot largely digitally on a small Blackmagic Pocket, he typically intersperses additional footage captured on an A-Cam Super 16mm. A longer version of Namibia – Cuba’s Boxing Revolution will be released in the future.

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About the Author

Jamie Green

Jamie joined It’s Nice That back in May 2016 as an editorial assistant. And, after a seven-year sojourn away planning advertising campaigns for the likes of The LEGO Group and Converse, he came back to look after New Business & Partnerships here at It’s Nice That. Get in touch with him to discuss new business opportunities, and how we can work together on creative partnerships, insights, experiences or advertising.

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