More good news for fans of Irish film as skateboarding documentary Hill Street, featuring the legendary Tony Hawk, will be released in cinemas on May 23rd. The film recently screened at JDIFF (40 minute version) and the Galway Film Fleadh (full length version), with both screenings receiving a great response from audiences.
The film looks at the evolution of skateboarding culture in Dublin since the late 1980s up until today. The initial driving force behind the scene was a proprietor of a unique skate shop in North Dublin inner city – ‘Clive’s of Hill Street’. From here, Clive Rowen single-handedly progressed the skate scene through the building of primitive ramps at the shop before graduating to a temporary skate park in the Top Hat Ballroom in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. Clive later managed to convince the Powell Peralta ‘Bones Brigade’ Team, including the legendary Tony Hawk, to visit the skate park for a now historic demo.
The film comprises interviews with key players in both the Irish and global skate community and features rare, never-seen-before footage.
Commenting on the announcement, Patrick O’Neill, CEO Wildcard said: [quote]Wildcard are thrilled to be working with director, JJ Rolfe and producer Dave Leahy to bring Hill Street to audiences in Ireland, and across the world. The filmmakers have shown fantastic vision, ambition, and skill in bringing this story of skateboarding in Dublin to life. It’s a fascinating film, with a cast of some of the world’s top skateboarders – including living legend Tony Hawk.[/quote]
Hill Street’s director JJ Rolfe added: [quote]I’m very happy and excited to be working with Wildcard for the distribution of Hill Street, they understand the project and are able and willing to give it the support it needs at a grassroots level, while also keeping an international audience in mind. They are the perfect fit for us and have supported us through every step of this process.[/quote]
Along with it’s theatrical release Hill Street will also be available to buy worldwide on DVD/VOD through a dedicated website www.hillstreetdocumentary.com and via iTunes from June 2nd. Hill Street was produced by Warrior Films with support from the Irish Film Board.