ARTICLE BY LUCIA CORTES SOLTMANN AND SKATESENCIA TEAM
PICTURES BY BOROMIR BOGUMIL
The essence of skateboarding. What drives us. A purpose and a hobby. Skatesencia was born in Santiago de Chile in 2019 during the political Social Outbreak “Estallido Social”, seeking to create spaces for the development of sustainable communities around skateboarding. Half a year later, two newly arrived Chileans decided to do the same in Berlin with an ardent determination to give back to their local skate scene through free classes and providing safer spaces to learn and socialize, through the new born Skatesencia Berlin.
Four years have passed and we are very proud of this project and its organic growth. Through this movie we want to explore with you the many facets of our academy. “Esencia”, directed and filmed by our beloved Boromir Bogumil, will transport you to a summer in Berlin full of movement, latent communities, as well as reflections and more critical thoughts on the skate scene.
What is Skatesencia for us and where do we want to take it to? In a scene that seems very fragmented, what connects us together? The scene grows and grows, and everyone is part of it. Why not give more space and set aside exclusivity?
In what other ways can we experience skateboarding? Are there any limits? Does the person skating next to us feel safe? Have we educated ourselves enough to be able to understand and respect others?
We hope this movie can generate something deeper in the way you see skateboarding. That it awakens your desire to continue enjoying it and to be a positive contribution to those around you!
ABOUT THE MOVIE ‘ESENCIA’ BY BOROMIR BOGUMIL
‘ESENCIA’ is a hybrid movie project that was born out of Skatecencia’s creative community in Berlin. This movie could not exist if it wasn’t for the space of exchange, freedom, expression and experimentation that Skatecensia offers.
In this space that blurs the lines between a fun session and skate lessons, between who is learning and who is teaching, my first wish as a filmmaker capturing our adventure together was to blur the genres. Documentary, fiction, skate video… they all coexist together in one single project.
This film was made in collaboration with our community; I wanted to represent the people who make up this beautiful community the most . The two short films used in ‘ESENCIA’ were done by the participants of one of our filmmaking workshops. As skateboarders, our purpose and most natural form of expression being our tricks, I also wanted to have all of us together in a skate video.
The question “what is Skatesencia?” can only be answered by following its constant movement. After all, it is the essence of skateboarding, and I hope it will continue breaking more barriers.
Thank you Skatesencia.
Boromir
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