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About
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©aquamaterstudio 2026
NOUR - Beyond the ring
NOUR
Italian
Italy
2026
Ongoing
NOUR — beyond the ring
Logline
A poetic documentary where water, memory and the discipline of sport converge as European kickboxing champion Ben Ezzeddine Nour confronts his greatest opponent—himself—discovering that true victory lies in becoming a light for others.
Short Synopsis
NOUR is an experimental documentary exploring identity, resilience and belonging through the life of European kickboxing champion Ben Ezzeddine Nour.
Set along the shores of Mantua's lakes, the film follows Ben between the gym where he trains a new generation of athletes and a symbolic journey into his own past. Daily training, intimate conversations and the quiet rhythm of water intertwine with a visually poetic sequence in which Ben confronts his own double on a suspended platform transformed into a boxing ring.
Rather than portraying victory as an end point, NOUR explores what remains after success: the responsibility of becoming a mentor, the discipline of leading by example and the invisible legacy passed from one generation to the next.
Through documentary observation and cinematic visual metaphors, the film reflects on sport not only as competition, but as a path towards self-knowledge, community and hope.
Teaser
Project brief
Format
Experimental poetic documentary
45–60 minutes
Language: Italian (Ben Ezzeddine Nour), English subtitles
Location: Mantua, Italy
Production: Aqua Mater Studio – aquamaterstudio.com
Cast & Crew
Featuring:
Ben Ezzeddine Nour
Directors:
Francesco Majo & Nataly Cadavid
Drone cinematography:
Juan Pablo Majo
Additional crew:
To be confirmed
Artistic approach
NOUR combines observational documentary with cinematic visual storytelling.
Water becomes the film's recurring metaphor, accompanying Ben's journey between memory and transformation. The lakes surrounding Mantua create a contemplative landscape that contrasts with the intensity of the gym and the physicality of kickboxing.
The documentary alternates intimate everyday moments with highly symbolic visual sequences, culminating in a surreal confrontation where Ben faces his own double on a suspended platform transformed into a boxing ring. Rather than depicting a literal fight, the sequence represents the inner struggle every individual faces while confronting fear, doubt and personal limits.
Natural sound, carefully crafted sound design and cinematic photography create an immersive experience where sport becomes a universal language of resilience, belonging and human growth.
Running time
45–60 minutes
(52-minute broadcast version available)
Indicative total budget:
to be defined
Target:
Distribution & impact
International documentary and art-house festivals.
Sport, human rights and social inclusion festivals.
Educational screenings in schools, universities and sports organisations.
Broadcast and streaming platforms.
Community screenings in cultural institutions and sports venues.
The project aims to promote sport as a tool for education, intercultural dialogue and social inclusion, while exploring the universal journey from individual success to collective responsibility.