Day 38: Dogtown and the Z-Boys.

Day 38: Dogtown and the Z-Boys (2001, Dir. Stacy Peralta)

This film documents the rise of the Zephyr skateboarding team in the 1970’s, pioneers of both the sport of skating and the lifestyle surrounding it.

Personally I am not much of a skateboarding fan, my knowledge of skate boards actually doesn’t go much past a couple of Tony Hawks games I had on the Gamecube; however this film proves to be a really fascinating documentary and is crafted in a visually striking and appealing way. The vintage cut aways which are used throughout the film provide an interesting and raw view of the early years of the team and the freedom and expressionism they experienced in these Dogtown years. This unique approach is perhaps best shown by narrator Sean Penn coughing whilst reading one of his lines, this freedom the documentary shows is quite liberating and definitely fresh.

Of course it is perhaps as interesting to see how these people who defined a lifestyle have turned out themselves, whilst many have became figureheads in the modern skating world many have fallen from grace. These elements give an emotional depth to the film which keeps you genuinely interested in finding out more.

With a fantastic soundtrack adding to the atmosphere this documentary proves to be entertaining and informative to anyone, from a passionate skater to any of us with our feet firmly on the ground.

7/10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275309/

Extra: Last time I skated I was very very rubbish...