'United Skates' shows grace in capturing rink value

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“We were rollin' and rockin' before there was rockin' and rollin',” one of the roller-skating enthusiasts said during the opening of the documentary “United Skates,” a film that opens up the world and lifestyle of roller-skating, specifically within roller rinks. He couldn't be any more correct, as shown in the 90-minute documentary that has received the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival, and was an official selection in both the HotDocs Film Festival and AFI's Docs Film Festival.

After setting a somber scene outside one of the handful of remaining roller rinks sprinkled throughout the country, and highlighting how police often patrol the outside of these recreation centers, the film launches into a cascade of aspects of the roller rink culture and how it helped shape popular culture. Every aspect of the culture gets its due, from region-specific skating styles to its eclectic blend of music, (for some, it is the blend of James Brown samples and hip-hop beats), to how each skater prefers their skates, a fascinating look into customizing shoes from any regular footwear to smooth-sailing skates, using everything from Vans sneakers to Timberland boots.

Though “United Skates” is a modern story about the struggles of the rink industry, it also takes pride in how rinks shaped culture. First time director and producer pair Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown accomplish this by using archival footage, such as showing Queen Latifah before her royal title performing at one of the venues, and even a shot of the feature film “Straight Outta Compton,” where NWA has one of their concerts on rink floors. Celebrities such as Salt-N-Pepa and Coolio provide testimonials about how roller rinks were pivotal in the music industry.

A close examination of the rink business is put on display, from a self-proclaimed “rink rat” single mother, whose outlet for her and her young family of roller skating comes into jeopardy. Owners of the struggling edifices are spotlighted, detailing exactly why they battle to stay in business. This plays out as a mystery, since these businesses seem to thrive every “adult night,” until eventually revealed.

While the film's highs show how much of a positive impact it has had on inner cities, there is an ever-looming threat that hangs over the heads of the skaters and business owners, from the west to east coasts. Unlike arcades - another recreational center that is far past its heyday, has shaped video game culture for the modern age but still finds its niche audience when paired with microbrews - roller rinks still struggle to survive, to serve this subset of recreationists, who find happiness, safety and release from their day-to-day worries.

There is also a section that brings to light how out-of-touch modern rink owners are with the rich subculture, with restrictions on the types of skates allowed to be worn, the music played and general staunch nature of modern rinks, which is in stark contrast to what we have already witnessed. The film also brings into focus the historical contexts that rinks have experienced, from the racism of segregation to the gang wars between the Bloods and Crips of Los Angeles.

The film's production value is astounding, as it makes sure to cover several angles during a single setting. Whether we are examining a rink session involving 100 or more skaters, or a car with three or four family members, Winkler and Brown do not miss an opportunity to encapsulate every worthy shot.

The camera operators must have been skilled skaters themselves, since when we follow the leaping and bounding dance athletes, the footage is silky smooth. I'm hard-pressed to remember a shot that ever felt lazy, or a simple pan to follow the speedy daredevils.

As with any documentary or feature film, the importance of editing cannot be understated. With a topic this expansive yet so specific, the editing team should be applauded for stitching together so many moments of these people's lives, so that the viewer feels not only informed but emotionally moved throughout the entire runtime.

Once the conclusion is met, after the ebbs and flows of a largely unseen sport of sorts, of which I was certainly clueless about, any given viewer will be left satisfied and given a slice of hope that the subculture and the specific vibrant joy of roller rinks has a chance to continue.