Minding The Gap is a captivating documentary film released in 2018, which showcases the lives of three skateboarders from Rockford, Illinois â Keire Johnson, Bing Liu, and Zack Mulligan. The documentary is directed by Bing Liu, who himself is a skateboarder and features these three friends who bond over their shared passion for skateboarding.
The film starts with a collage of clips of the three, shot mostly in their teenage years, riding their boards through the streets and skate parks of Rockford, Illinois, the once-thriving industrial city in the Midwest. Bing's cinéma vérité style camera captures these young skaters in their element, showing their tricks and daring stunts, and the sense of freedom and camaraderie that skateboarding brings to them.
As the documentary progresses, we get to know more about the personal lives of Keire, Bing, and Zack, these young men who are all struggling to find their place in life. They share the common bond of a tough upbringing. Keire, an African American kid, faces discrimination and racism from his peers, born out of lack of understanding and animosity. The skateboarding community, despite being predominantly white, offers him a safe haven, and he draws strength from the brotherhood and support system among his friends.
Similarly, Zack comes from a dysfunctional family, marred by domestic abuse and alcoholism. He moved out at the young age of 16 and has been living on his own ever since. Skateboarding offers an escape from his problems and an outlet to channel his frustrations, bringing a sense of purpose and identity to his life.
Bing, the filmmaker, is using this documentary as an opportunity to explore his own troubled past, growing up with a single mother who endured domestic abuse for years. Through this journey, we see him grappling with the effects of his childhood trauma, his conflicted relationship with his parents, and his struggle to find meaning and direction in life.
The film explores how the lives of these young skateboarders intertwine, the way their friendship strengthens, and the way they grow from carefree teenagers to young adults forced to confront the harsh realities of life. But itâs also a poignant exploration of the generational divide and the pain that is passed down from one to another. It's a raw, emotional portrayal of the universal experience of growing up, of grappling with one's identity and navigating the complexities of adulthood.
The breathtaking visuals and music in the documentary is awe-inspiring. Every frame of this film flows seamlessly into the next, making it hard to look away from the screen. Bing Liu's camera work is meticulous, his editing is precise as he captures the skaters at their best and most vulnerable moments, and the soundtrack of the movie adds to the overall impact.
Minding The Gap packs an emotional punch and leaves a lasting impression on viewers. Itâs a film about skateboarding but goes beyond that, showing how an activity can bring people together, offer solace and support, and serve as a means of escape from the harsh realities of life.
Overall, Minding The Gap is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching documentary that portrays the joys and difficulties of modern life. It explores the universal themes of friendship, family, identity, and the importance of pursuing one's passions. It's an exceptional film that will leave you feeling a wide range of emotions, from the elation of watching incredible skateboarding moments to the heartbreak of seeing the struggles that these young men go through.
Minding The Gap is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 89.
