Directed by: Almir Jusović (Slovenia, 2015, 25 min) In general, skaters get hit all the time. Hit by the tarmac in a manoeuvre done almost right, hit in the crotch by the (too) long railing, hit by the height and length of the staircase, hit by the latest online skate video, hit by the endlessly
Directed by: Almir Jusović (Slovenia, 2015, 25 min)
In general, skaters get hit all the time. Hit by the tarmac in a manoeuvre done almost right, hit in the crotch by the (too) long railing, hit by the height and length of the staircase, hit by the latest online skate video, hit by the endlessly repeated rubbing of urban gear when trying to make more and more a-few-seconds-long videos, which, accumulating for months or years, will eventually lead to the compilation that is known as the skate video. They could be labelled quite unstable persons who nevertheless have both extremely strong internal balance as well as ability to balance themselves to be able to perform, pull off, complete all the tricks that will fascinate you in the video. Persistently and patiently they are working on their piece of video, which begins with a credit title. As for the completion of the trick that takes three seconds of the clip, this takes hours and days of unpaid hard work. Yes, you heard it right. Work. The lady who read on Wikipedia that roller-skating and skateboarding are physical recreation and activities, will be murmuring and shaking her heads. And so will be many others. In our land, this is still volunteer work, just as many other activities are volunteered, such as organising events, constructing skateboarding ramps, travel expenses, and in future possibly also the costs of medical care. Yes, there are injuries. Often. However, the damage caused to urban areas by skaters is negligible if compared to the limited financial input and the priceless energy they bring to the environment.
Spacedout is the latest project by Ali Jusović, known in the Slovenian and global skating scene for his exceptional skate manoeuvres, deviating even from skate norms. His tricks are wicked, totally spacedout. Ali has been hit wickedly as well, having been composing his latest video part for almost five years. He has been hit in all parts of his body, believe us. “I wasn’t too lucky. Injuries. And I spent ten days or more for certain tricks. Yes, I got ripped. And, as hard as it was, it’s quite poor, from a certain point of view,” says Ali. However, we have serious doubts about the video being poor. If nothing else, there is the first Slovenian solo part by a female skateboarder, Talja Sušec. Plus there are masterpieces by the promising Timi Kovačič, Igor Kragelj, Tomaž Šantl, Tadej Skrbiš, Dean Gostimirovič and a heap of videos by Slovenian and foreign skateboarders. Some were filmed by Ali with friends, some were sent by the protagonists. As for the shooting, says Ali: “Well, the video – it will be a bit different, a bit mental. It was shot at home, a bit also in Croatia, and a bit in Morocco. There wasn’t much travelling involved. The majority is recorded with the same video camera, nothing special, and skate clips were sometimes lit with mobile phones – the Balkan way.” Ali has had the support of Obsešn for a number of years, also for this project. And although this is an invitation to the premiere screening of the latest Slovenian skate video product, being a skateboarder I am naturally tempted to watch the moving images right now. But we will all have to wait a little longer. I expect to be spaced-out. See you in the cinema.
(Text: Tibor Rep; Photo: Urban Cerjak)
Organised by Kino Šiška with support of Obsession.
