Rose Namajunas explains why she decided to address her childhood sexual abuse and other traumas in new documentary
Rose Namajunas explained why she bravely decided to address her childhood sexual abuse trauma in her new documentary.
Despite showing a ferocious and aggressive side to herself inside the Octagon, it’s no secret that the former strawweight queen is the opposite outside the cage.
The idea of putting a documentary together on the highs and the lows of Rose Namajunas came five years ago when film director Marius Markevicius reached out to discuss the possibility of taking a closer look into the 30-year-olds life.
Namajunas has never been one to enjoy the limelight or the bundles of attention that comes with being a UFC champion. So, letting the cameras take a closer look into her life from a different angle would have taken some persuading.
Rose Namajunas praises Marius Markevicius
Namajunas opened up about the experience in an interview with MMA Fighting.
“I’m just very grateful that Marius was so patient with me and persistent and persevered through the whole thing,” Rose Namajunas voiced. “Because I am used to UFC cameras, and they’re used to other fighters, and fight camps are very intense. I think that they have to cover so many fighters, and it’s a very routine thing. They can’t always necessarily delve deep into topics.
“The way his mind works, it’s like a work of art with the way he could just focus on my individual story, and I do feel like all these other fighters have great stories. But the artistry, it was just a whole different thing.”
A part of being an excellent director is allowing your individuals to open up. Most importantly, trust you. Markevicius believes he did that by having Namajunas rewind back to her upbringing, past relationships, and unforgettable highs and lows.
“I think we got to go to a deeper place than a lot of films or TV shows about MMA fighters have gone before,” Markevicius said. “It was quite a great experience.
“There is a lot of material on Rose, and you’ve been covering her for years, and she’s done a ton of interviews and The Ultimate Fighter and fight-week type events. But to go deeper and to get the know the personal side of Rose and what makes her tick and explore that and what makes her human and so relatable.”
