Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad

Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad is a definitive and exhilarating documentary film from 2020 which outlines the enduring passion, the unique culture and the indomitable spirit of the skateboarding fraternity. It tells a fascinating tale that spans several decades showcasing the tenacity and the inherent rebelliousness of a community that refuses to die out; instead, it continues to transform and evolve while remaining true to its roots. This documentary features Tim Altic, Iain Borden, and John Buultjens as part of its starring cast.

The crux of the documentary revolves around Rom, which happens to be one of the oldest skateparks in the world – a playground etched in concrete that has kick-started countless professional careers, fueled the undying obsession of teens and left a marked impression on anyone that skated its bold and unforgiving vertical bowl. Located in East London and built in the late 70s during the seminal era of bowl skateboarding, this iconic park, steeped in history and legend, is the primary subject of the film. A place held sacrosanct by not just local skateboard enthusiasts, but revered by practitioners worldwide.

Directed by Matt Harris, Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad adeptly uses interviews with skaters, BMX riders, artists, and architects to illuminate the importance of this sporting venue both historically and culturally. The persistent theme is undeniably the resilience and camaraderie of the community associated with it - a tight-knit band of skaters and riders who've made the park their sanctuary over the years. The film paints a vivid picture of how this community strives to protect and preserve their much-loved skate park, and how, more importantly, they fight to keep the essence of their sub-culture alive.

Tim Altic, Iain Borden, and John Buultjens grace the screen in this documentary and provide the audience with deeply personal and uniquely insightful perspectives into the world of skate park culture. Through their narratives and experiences, the audience is granted a profound understanding of the escalating stakes, the exhilarating thrills, and the endless challenges that are inherent in skateboarding, as well as the sheer joy that keeps these riders coming back for more.

Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad also captures the various transformations in the sport of skateboarding over the last four decades. It offers a comprehensive time machine-style view of the meteoric rise, the arduous journey, and evolution of the sport over time. Be it the innovative tricks, evolving design principles driving skate park architecture, or fluctuating popular trends & societal perceptions regarding the sport, this documentary covers it all.

While skateboarding is at the center of it, the documentary is driven by the human stories within this community. The film is rife with tales of the past, conversations about the present, and thoughts about the future, all woven together into an intricate tapestry that makes Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of alternative sports and cultures. Moreover, thanks to its broader exploration of themes like heritage, local community, youth culture, and urban history this film is undoubtedly a recommended watch for any ardent documentary buffs.

With its fast-paced storytelling coupled with high-throttle, adrenaline-pumping skating footage, and atmospheric soundscapes that beautifully encapsulate the raw emotion of the skate scene, this documentary succeeds in elevating the audience's experience beyond routine spectatorship. It offers a ticket into the energetic and perpetually mesmerizing world of skateboarding as it truly is – a world powered by passion, shaped by resilience, fueled by creativity, and thriving on an unwavering love for the sport.

Ultimately, Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad is a captivating visual journey into the resilient world of skateboarding. A tribute to the skaters, the riders, the artists, and dreamers who’ve been influenced by skating and have in turn, left their mark on the Rom skate park. It is both a gripping story of a unique sporting venue and an evocative exploration of a vibrant subculture that is every bit as colorful and charismatic as the board-treading and ramp-scaling heroes it birthed.