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Jermain Cikic 🛸

@cikicjermain

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Floating Away
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MONSTRINHO out now on @vicenl 🥋 
At just 17, Emanoel is chasing a Jiu Jitsu dream that began on the hills of Morro dos Prazeres, a favela in Rio de Janeiro. While adulthood comes early, he balances work and caring for his mother with relentless Jiu Jitsu training, pursuing his dream of becoming a world champion and changing his life. 
For Emanoel, the mat is more than a place to compete. It’s a space to focus, escape the pressure of everyday life, and imagine a future beyond the limits of his surroundings. 
MONSTRINHO is an intimate portrait of a young man coming of age, following his journey on and off the mat as he navigates the challenges of everyday life in the favela. 
//

Director – Jermain Cikic @cikicjermain
DOP – Jermain Cikic @cikicjermain
Editor – Jits Vlaar @vlitsjaar
Grading – Also Studio @also___studio
Music & SFS – Myrd Schenk @myrdschenk
Mix – Remco Langedijk @remcosounds
Title design – Jesse Weijer @electro_receptor
Interview – Willem Mulders
Translation & Subtitles – Gabriel Lima @Gabriel.palada.lima 
Special thanks to
Diogo Bandock Alcantara @diogobandocka for opening the doors of his Jiu Jitsu school @boasafrateamfavelafighters by @cikicjermain

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a month ago

Honoured to announce that my portrait ‘João e Maria’ has been selected for the Winston Taylor Photo Portrait Prize exhibition (formerly the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize) at the @nationalportraitgallery in London.

The portrait is part of my ongoing project ‘77’, a body of work I have been developing over the past three years in Morro dos Prazeres, a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Through intimate portraits and quiet observations, I have sought to photograph what holds this community together: the strength of relationships and the gestures of care. I was drawn to the ways in which people create beauty and dignity in small, often overlooked moments.
 One of these moments took place when I visited the home of my friend João. I photographed him lying on his bed with his niece, caught in a rare moment of stillness and tenderness. Within these walls, family bonds create a sense of care and safety. In a context marked by instability, dignity is sustained through relationships rather than material conditions. Home is not defined by comfort, but by the presence of others.

The portrait will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery from November 5th until January 2027. taken in Morro dos Prazeres by @cikicjermain

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2 months ago

I’m deeply heartbroken by the tragic news coming out of Prazeres. It’s hard to put into words the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life still ahead of them. This is not how things are supposed to be and it leaves a heaviness that is difficult to carry.

What makes it even harder is remembering all the moments we shared — the laughter, the jokes, the simple moments that meant so much. Those memories will always stay with me. You brought light, joy, and energy into the lives of everyone around you and that will never be forgotten.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family, your friends and everyone in the community who is hurting right now. I hope you can find strength in each other during this incredibly difficult time.

Rest in peace. You will always be remembered, always missed and never forgotten. May you be received with open arms and find eternal peace.

🤍🕊️

—

Estou profundamente com o coração partido com a trágica notícia que vem de Prazeres. É muito difícil colocar em palavras a dor de perder alguém tão jovem, com toda uma vida pela frente. Não é assim que as coisas deveriam acontecer, e isso deixa um peso enorme no coração.

O que torna tudo ainda mais difícil é lembrar de todos os momentos que compartilhamos — as risadas, as brincadeiras, os momentos simples que significavam tanto. Essas memórias vão ficar comigo para sempre. Você trouxe luz, alegria e energia para a vida de todos ao seu redor, e isso nunca será esquecido.

Meus pensamentos e orações estão com sua família, seus amigos e toda a comunidade que está sofrendo neste momento. Espero que vocês encontrem força uns nos outros para atravessar esse período tão difícil.

Descanse em paz. Você será sempre lembrado, sempre fará falta e jamais será esquecido. Que Deus te receba de braços abertos e te conceda a paz eterna.

🤍🕊️ by @cikicjermain

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7 months ago

PRAZERES UNITED × JERMAIN CIKIC 🇧🇷💙

I’m very happy to share this collaboration with @prazeresunited

The photograph featured on this T-shirt was taken in Morro dos Prazeres, Rio de Janeiro, capturing a group of the incredible kids who are part of the Prazeres United community.

Prazeres United is a free football club for more than 120 children. What started with a football field is now growing into something much bigger: the dream of building a clubhouse. A safe space where the kids can learn, eat, grow, create and come together.

This Saturday, 26 September, our collaboration T-shirt will be available for the first time in Amsterdam.

Every euro raised through the event and merchandise goes directly towards the Prazeres United Clubhouse Project.

If you’re in Amsterdam, come and be part of it. There will be Brazilian food & drinks, music, photography, merchandise and, most importantly, a lot of good people coming together for something that matters.

📍 House of Woodstock, Amsterdam Noord
🗓 Saturday 26 September
⏰ 15:00–23:00

You can pre-order the T-shirt by DM and pick it up at the event, or grab one there while they last.

Let’s help build this house together!

💙⚽️ by @cikicjermain

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23 days ago

That’s me.
777

Photographed by @dionbierdrager by @cikicjermain

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a month ago

Naar aanleiding van mijn nominatie als één van de winnaars van de SO’26 Award verscheen er een uitgebreid interview in @focus_magazine_nl over mijn langlopende project 77.

In het interview vertel ik over de jaren die ik inmiddels in Morro dos Prazeres heb doorgebracht, hoe het vertrouwen met de bewoners langzaam is gegroeid en waarom ik ervoor kies om de wijk niet te reduceren tot de stereotypen van geweld, maar juist de verbondenheid, warmte en het alledaagse leven centraal te stellen.

Veel dank aan Pierette voor het zorgvuldige interview en aan @focus_magazine_nl voor de mooie publicatie. Later dit jaar is een selectie uit 77 samen met het werk van de andere SO’26-genomineerden te zien in het Fotomuseum in Hilversum. by @cikicjermain

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4 months ago

Happy to share that my long-term project 77 has been selected as a Critics’ Pick for Critics’ Choice 2026. 
A special thank you to @alex.kahl for selecting the project.

77 is a long-term project that grew out of two years I spent in Morro dos Prazeres, a favela nestled on the steep hills of Rio de Janeiro. Through portraits and fragments of everyday life, the project seeks to capture the spirit of a place and the people who give it meaning. What began as an innocent visit evolved into something deeply personal, a journey shaped by trust and friendships.

My deepest thanks to everyone on the hill who welcomed me as one of their own.

Until next year. taken in Morro dos Prazeres by @cikicjermain

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4 months ago

Excited to see my photo of João featured on the cover of PF Magazine!

It’s always rewarding when your work is recognized and I’m grateful for the people who believe in it.

A special thank you to @ton_hendriks for selecting my image. by @cikicjermain

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4 months ago

I’m grateful to share that my project 77 has been selected as one of the winners of the SO’26 Award. 
Over the past two years, I photographed life in Morro dos Prazeres, a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Through intimate portraits and quiet observations, I sought to photograph what holds this community together: the strength of relationships, the gestures of care and the shared rhythm of daily life. These images are as much about resilience as they are about tenderness, revealing the quiet humanity that endures through change and challenge. 
The official opening takes place today, 12 June, from 17:30–21:00 at @melkwegexpo. 
If you’re around, feel free to stop by and see the work in person. I’d love to see you there. If you are not able to make it to the opening, the exhibition is free to visit from 12–14 June from 11:00 onwards. 
Thank you to everyone who made this project possible and especially to the community of Morro dos Prazeres for their trust and generosity.

✌🏻 taken in Melkweg Expo by @cikicjermain

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4 months ago

Honoured and excited to share that my project Father’s Land will be published in Volume 4 of The Road to Nowhere.

A huge thank you to @dalia.aldu and the entire team for believing in this work and for creating a platform that celebrates stories of migration, identity, home and belonging.

Father’s Land began as a personal journey after the loss of my father. As the son of a Dutch mother and a father from the former Yugoslavia, I grew up between cultures, always searching for where I belonged. Through returning to my father’s birthplace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I explored questions of heritage, memory and identity, tracing both his story and my own. 
I’m incredibly grateful to have this work featured alongside so many inspiring artists. The launch takes place tonight in London from 6–10pm, powered by @jumpman23. 
I’m also proud to support a publication that donates part of its profits to migrant charities each year, with this year’s proceeds supporting @chirla_org. 
Looking forward to seeing Volume 4 out in the world. by @cikicjermain

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4 months ago

Yesterday, I received the tragic news that Marcos Macedo, founder of MM Boxe, had passed away. Heartbreaking news for the boxing community and for everyone whose lives he touched.
 I had the chance to meet him last year at MM Boxe. Even sitting in a wheelchair, you could still see in his eyes the deep love he had for the sport and the pride he felt for building MM Boxe into such a strong force. 
Marcos left behind far more than a gym. He built a community, a family and a legacy that now lives on through his sons and through every person he inspired along the way.  
The seed he planted years ago has grown into a strong and beautiful tree, one that continues to bear fruit through the values and love he gave to others. The foundation he created continues to live on through his sons and the community around MM Boxe.
 My thoughts are with his family, his friends and everyone at MM Boxe during this difficult time.
 His legacy will live forever. 
Rest in peace campeão!  🤍🥊🕊️

-

Ontem recebi a triste notícia de que Marcos Macedo, fundador da MM Boxe, faleceu. Uma notícia devastadora para a comunidade do boxe e para todas as pessoas que tiveram suas vidas tocadas por ele.

Tive a oportunidade de conhecê-lo no ano passado, na MM Boxe. Mesmo sentado em uma cadeira de rodas, ainda era possível ver em seus olhos o enorme amor que ele tinha pelo esporte e o orgulho que sentia por ter construído a MM Boxe em uma força tão importante. 
Marcos deixou muito mais do que uma academia. Ele construiu uma comunidade, uma família e um legado que agora continua vivo através de seus filhos e de todas as pessoas que ele inspirou ao longo do caminho. 
A semente que ele plantou anos atrás cresceu e se tornou uma árvore forte e bonita, que continua dando frutos através dos valores e do amor que ele transmitiu aos outros. A base que ele criou continua viva através de seus filhos e da comunidade ao redor da MM Boxe. 
Meus pensamentos estão com sua família, seus amigos e todos da MM Boxe neste momento tão difícil. 
Seu legado viverá para sempre. 
Descanse em paz, campeão!  🤍🥊🕊️ by @cikicjermain

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5 months ago

Coming back to Brazil always feels familiar in a way I can’t fully explain. Even though this year looked a little different. With my knee not fully cooperating, I couldn’t spend as much time in Prazeres as I would have liked. Fewer days, fewer moments on those streets that have come to mean so much to me.   But somehow, the feeling didn’t change. 
The warmth, the openness, the way people welcome you like you never really left, it’s still there. And this year, seeing my girlfriend being welcomed with the same kindness and open arms meant a lot to me. It made something that already felt special feel even more real.

Even in a shorter time, I was reminded why this place stays with me long after I’m gone.
 I missed some of the chaos, the long days, the full immersion. But maybe that’s what makes me look forward to next year even more.

Thank you for the moments we did share. For the conversations, the laughter, the small things that never feel small when you’re there. Thank you for always making me feel at home.

Next year, I’ll be back stronger and for longer.

Tamo junto 🇧🇷 by @cikicjermain

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6 months ago