Skate Kitchen

'Skate Kitchen (2018)' can be slow and it tends to meander but there's almost constantly a palpable sense of chemistry between its core players, the eponymous 'Skate Kitchen' (who each essentially play fictionalised versions of themselves). There's also a tangible, quite inviting atmosphere that perforates pretty much every scene, from the subtle and harmonious moments to the brash and loud ones. The flick falls into the category of film where the plot essentially comes second to the characters, as we're pretty much just put in the same space as them and allowed to experience what they do and how they feel when they're at they're most vulnerable. This works wonders purely because it all feels markedly 'real', not to mention suitably inclusive. This is helped by the fact that everyone except Jaden Smith does their own skating and that it's all suitably impressive, to boot. Everything just feels somewhat relaxed and it's easy to get drawn into the world. However, the narrative does wrap itself up pretty quickly and conventionally in a way that doesn't feel all that natural to what was previously established. There is also some unfortunate glamorisation of drug use. The experience isn't exactly riveting, either, even if it's usually engaging and generally entertaining. 7/10

My wife and I watched this movie at home on DVD from our public library. It is somewhere between documentary and drama, all the 'actors' are girls who are members of the real Skate Kitchen group of skateboarders in New York City. It fairly accurately represents their real lives but the story itself is fictional.

The female filmmaker encountered two of them, with their skateboards, on the G train. Interested, she introduced herself and asked "are there more of you?" And that was the genesis of this movie. It takes place during one summer.

It is really a slice of life focusing more on one character living on Long Island, Camille, who just turned 18 and had some freedom to break away from her single mom's restrictions. She looks up a skate meeting event in Lower Manhattan, goes over to see what was happening, and gradually became friends with the others. There are the usual difficulties, including ridicule from the boys, but the girls bond.

I realize the movie contains exactly what the filmmaker intended, but I found myself wanting more. What kind of future do these young girls, and their young boy counterparts , have after high school? Will they be content with working at low-paying jobs to barely make ends meet while they spend most of their spare time skateboarding and watching their videos? What prospects do they have to climb a bit and pursue a more meaningful vocation? Or is skateboarding meaningful enough for them?

I can identify with all this because my own son was one of these skateboarding teens. Then he went on to a job as a bicycle messenger. By the time he got to be 25 he realized he didn't want to do that all his adult life so went to college and converted that into a good career. I will continue to wonder what the girls of Skate Kitchen will go on to.

I have not been able to find an explanation of their name, Skate Kitchen, perhaps it was inspired by the Manhattan area known as Hell's Kitchen.

Skate Kitchen is a decent coming-of-age film for young women in their late teens/early 20s. It doesn't have much of a plot or a story, but that won't bother the target audience. While it wasn't for me, it will suit some just fine.

Although this film reminds me greatly of the movie "Mid 90's" and The Sandlot, it still has a great story & concept. I can actually relate to this film as a previous skater (even though I'm a guy) because at the end of the day friendship is a very important aspect in the skating community. Many issues/ obstacles may arise, but as a skateboarder it's important for us to overcome it and grow. The main girl in this film did quite well as far as acting wise in my opinion. I DO feel like Jaden could work more on his acting but he's still at that learning phase. The cinematography and color Grading is dope overall! I could relate to both main girl & Jaden because I used to skate hardcore back in the day & take pictures & videos. This film reminds me of my ex who also skates in the NY scene with her girl friends and lives life to the fullest. Now this film isn't for everyone.. I feel like you have to be open minded to skateboarding as well as what today's youth indulges in. Everything pretty much shown in this movie is quite accurate of how the Ny scene (even Houston, TX where I'm from) can get down in the underground. Also too even though the film is a "taboo cult movie", this reminds me of KIDS from the early 90's but ofc a more cleaner/female version of it lol.

//Revelation Film Festival Review//

Watching Skate Kitchen is like reconnecting with a group of friends you haven't seen for ages but upon meeting up its like not even a day has passed. It's a breezy, relentlessly entertaining coming of age story that's a delight to watch.

Set amongst the New York subculture, the story focuses on Camille (newcomer Rachelle Vinberg), an 18 year-old Long Island teen who runs away from home to join a female skateboarding posse called Skate Kitchen. Connecting with the group as a kindred spirit, Camille struggles to reconcile her strained relationship with her mother with her newfound sense of belonging. Much like this year's best picture nominee Lady Bird, Skate Kitchen will prove instantly relatable to anyone who struggled to fit in during their formative years.