Anderson Silva Documentary "Like Water": Director Pablo Croce Speaks

Having made his mark in the film industry with latin centric music videos and commercials, director Pablo Croce is moving into the realm of feature length films, including his documentary of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva entitled Like Water.

The title refers to the philosophy of the late, famous martial artist, Bruce Lee. 

When talking with Bleacher Report, Croce expounded saying, "Water has the adaptive abilities, but also the power to crush."

As for what Croce learned about Anderson and what he wants to share with audiences and fans:

"There is a huge contrast in what I got personally from this man—not what I know from the media or his job as a fighter—but the first few weeks, when I saw there’s a great character here; a guy who is very open and friendly—there’s a whole stereotype how media casts fighters.  I think there’s a really good look at the pressures behind the man who prepares for such a big event, a fight.  There’s a good look at what can be driving his persona, to be perceived somehow differently or stereotyped."

Although the production team used translators, Croce shares a common Latin American culture with Anderson Silva and could communicate with Silva directly on several levels, due to how similar the Spanish and Portuguese languages are.

Regarding Silva's seemingly enigmatic persona in press conferences and the English speaking media, Croce said the following:

"Anderson is an interesting person. Anderson has problems communicating sometimes, especially the idiosyncratic terms.  Mostly, he’s open to media.  But I noticed in the presence of training, he has a hard time providing himself to the media, but I think that’s a very personal pattern itself."

For a man that is very private, but can also be quite open and friendly, Croce feels that Like Water will be a chance for audiences to learn as much about Silva as is possible.

While Croce was unfamiliar with the sport of mixed martial arts before this project, he says its growth has captured his attention and he will be tuned into its developments and possible chances for more subject matter.

-"Like Water" is making its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival as part of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival