Annex: Karimah Ashadu

MUSCLE (2025) by Karimah Ashadu immerses viewers in the world of bodybuilders training in a makeshift gym in the slums of Lagos. Through intimate close-ups of muscles, skin and movement, the film explores how the Black male body is seen, performed and represented, while resisting fixed or stereotypical interpretations.

Accompanied by the rhythm of breath, exertion and the sounds of the surrounding streets, MUSCLE shows bodybuilding as both a physical practice and a way of shaping identity. Like graffiti writers who leave their mark on the city, these men craft their own image to claim visibility and define themselves on their own terms. The film makes visible the stories, aspirations and determination of people who are often overlooked.