LBB Film Club: Black Hercules

Craig Monson might be the most legendary bodybuilder you’ve never heard of. Once the leader of a gang called the Avenues in South Central Los Angeles, he turned his life around to become an international street bodybuilding superstar, and one of the strongest of the 1980's. Weighing in at a previously unheard of 272 pounds with arms measuring 23.25 inches, he was known as ‘Black Hercules’.

‘Black Hercules’ is now also the name of Little Minx director Rodney Lucas’ new documentary short about Craig’s life and enduring impact. Premiering to rave reviews at June’s Tribeca Film Festival, it offers a lyrical portrait of its namesake that combines archival and modern footage to a soulful soundtrack, peppered with reflective soundbites from Craig himself.

In addition to the Tribeca Official Selection, Rodney recently received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Best Director for his Hulu series, ‘Searching For Soul Food’. He’s known for redefining cinematic language through his documentary and commercial work for the likes of NFL, Nike, Amazon, and Vice, and adeptly capturing the community that raised him, being born on Chicago’s gritty Southside and having experienced homelessness and a father serving life in prison.

Today, Rodney speaks to LBB’s Zara Naseer about striking the balance between cinema and candour, grandeur and vulnerability, when showcasing a legend on screen.

Above: Trailer for 'Black Hercules'

LBB> How did you first learn about Craig Monson’s story?

Rodney> I've heard of Craig because of his street bodybuilding reputation, but it wasn't until my archival partner, Renata [Cherlise] of Black Archives, suggested we contact him, that I truly got to know him and how deep his story was. 

LBB> What were you hoping to achieve with this film?

Rodney> A film that would give society a tender and caring portrait of the brothers of the struggle in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. 

LBB> How did you go about sourcing contextual information about Craig’s life and Black LA in the 1980's?

Rodney> Our archival material ranged from me contacting personal friends who were either in the LA streets themselves in the ‘80s, or had family who were. It became a really neat web of combining that with some images from Getty, and some relatively unknown photographers. 

LBB> The documentary short is described as a ‘soulfully candid pilgrimage’ – how did you work to balance a frank and honest portrayal with cinematic storytelling?

Rodney> I think the core of real cinematic storytelling is frank and honest, so that process, for me, was fluid and natural. This story called for that approach. I couldn't afford to not be as honest as possible. 

LBB> Tell us what it was like working with Craig. Did he have his own vision for the film? Did anything surprise you?

Rodney> Working with Craig was like working with an uncle, and he absolutely had his ideas of what the film should be, but he trusted my vision and approach. He absolutely gave me the power. He realised with his story that he had personally taken it as far as he possibly could, so it was time for some new blood.

LBB> What tools did you use to convey his personality on screen?

Rodney> Respect, admiration, and reminding him of how important he is to not just LA, but to Black men across the world. Sometimes he forgets... And that got us there.

LBB> And what was his reaction upon seeing the finished product?

Rodney> Tears. Craig was truly moved and proud of the work we've done. Now he wants to be a movie star lol. 

LBB> What aesthetic were you aiming for and why?

Rodney> 16mm, shot intimately enough to where you could feel his presence beyond his physique. I shot it that way so that people weren't too enamoured by his body, but got a chance to feel his vulnerability.

LBB> Can you talk about your soundtrack choices?

Rodney> I wanted it to feel like we were in Craig's living room. Every song was meant to have that house, Sunday morning energy to it. The soundtrack was based on the vibes of his story. 

LBB> What were the main challenges you faced when putting together this documentary? How did you overcome them?

Rodney> The biggest challenge was letting this film go to the world. I was just hoping society would have the same level of care that we had for Craig, and not see him as just this entertainer, but a man with a heart and story. 

LBB> Finally, what’s the main thing you want audiences to take away from the film?

Rodney> That self-care is the most beautiful and powerful revolutionary act one could exercise.