The Dutch National Opera came to us with a problem: young people weren't coming to the Opera. The Opera house was seen as an old fashioned, stuffy institution. When in fact the opposite is true - it is a modern, contemporary house - from a highly conceptual level to the talent, stage design, wardrobe and beyond. We set out to change that misconception by telling the stories behind the Opera in a campaign we dubbed 'You Don't Know Opera'. The first film focuses on Frank, a Tenor at the DNO, and a semi-professional kick-boxer.

The Boxer - short film (NOWNESS feature) from Ruben Van Leer on Vimeo.

"The Boxer" was directed by the talented Ruben Van Leer with words by John "Bang" Reilly. It was presented by Nowness. Winner of "Best Documentary Short" at Sydney World Film Festival and selected at MEME PAS PEUR and a finalist at Ciclope Filmfestival.



Credits to New Amsterdam Films, Lars Mars, Justin Blyth, Gilles Suprin, Guillerme Roukhomovsky, Rowan Bancroft and more.