New York City, Central Park. One of the biggest tourist destinations of the world. It’s also filled with skaters. Watching them twist their bodies, gliding backwards, sideways and forward to the rhythm of the city is a sight to behold.
For directors Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler it captivated their hearts and soul. However, what started out as a simple documentary about roller skating transformed into visual art about the underground skating culture that influenced African-Americans for decades.
Executive produced by John Legend, Brown and Winkler’s United Skates follows several skaters as they fight for their right to skate, while weaving together its history as an intricate part of the civil rights era that transformed into a breeding ground for upcoming rap artist like N.W.A, Queen Latifah and more. Through the years, this sport faced endangerment but through the sheer willpower of its participants it moved underground influencing a new generation.
The Koalition spoke to Brown and Winkler about their journey which reintroduces the world to this art.
Check out our interview below.
