Film Archive

King Skate

Special Events 2018 / King Skate / Czech Republic 2018

The first feature-length documentary about the rise of skateboarding in Czechoslovakia presents a gripping tale of the search for freedom in a society stifled by the communist regime. Unique archive shots set to a driving punk soundtrack introduce us to the cult masters of the board and their never-ending party ride through the grey days of Normalization.

Synopsis

“Stick close to the concrete. Jam through the space. Keep it moving. Skate!” Writer, journalist, DJ, and freelance filmmaker Šimon Šafránek shot his first feature documentary about the rise of skateboarding in Czechoslovakia – a charmingly cheeky yet wise, melancholy, and engaging account of the search for freedom in a society stifled by the communist regime. Unique archive shots set to a driving punk soundtrack (The Clash, Sex Pistols, Killing Joke, Visací zámek, Miro Žbirka) introduce us to the cult masters of the board – Ivan Zobák Pelikán, Petr Forman, and Luděk Váša – and their never-ending party ride through the grey days of Normalization.

Karel Och

About the film

82 min / Color, Black & White, DCP
World premiere
Director Šimon Šafránek / Screenplay Šimon Šafránek / Dir. of Photography Jiří Chod / Editor Šimon Hájek / Producer Kateřina Černá / Production Negativ s.r.o. / Contact Negativ / Distributor Aerofilms