AMIGO SKATE, CUBA - PRESS KIT

TRAILER

Skateboards are contraband in Cuba, but for 40 years an underground skate culture survived on splintered decks and worn-out wheels. Now, Cuba’s renegade skaters are teaming up with a charity group out of Miami called Amigo Skate Cuba that smuggles skateboards into the blockaded country. Their mission - overcome old prejudices and build a skate park in Havana to inspire Cuba’s at-risk youth.

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Skateboarding is as much a passion as a leisure activity—but to skate in Cuba requires a level of ardor, we Americans know nothing about. Vanesa Wilkey-Escobar’s debut documentary tracks a transnational effort led by Miami’s own Rene Lecour, founder of Amigo Skate, to get Cuban skaters the gear and space they need.

The journey is uphill: the only current skate-park in Havana is built on a drainage ditch and the Cuban government is reluctant to recognize skateboarding—an American invention—as a valid sport. What’s more, negotiating with government officials demands a demonstrative respect for authority that can feel antithetical to those whose credo is founded in skate culture’s outlaw mentality.

Filled with thrilling sequences of skate virtuosity, Amigo Skate, Cuba presents a fascinating case of cooperation overcoming culture clash—and a universal portrait of freedom on four little wheels.

Vanesa, the director, began exploring her Cuban roots for a film project and travelled to Miami in early 2015 to visit family and hear old stories and memories of Cuba. While there, she met Rene LeCour, founder of Amigo Skate Cuba, and was immediately drawn to the story around his charity and smuggling skateboards into Cuba. She called Chris, a fellow producer, and told him point blank – “We are going to Cuba!”

The rest is history. They managed to quickly raise the funds through generous Kickstarter donations and a private investor. In less than three months they were on a plane with a crew of six with huge duffel bags stuffed with skateboards and film equipment headed for Havana, Cuba.

What began that day was a two-year journey that culminated in a feature film documentary filled with images of an beautiful and dilapidated island that holds the hopes and dreams of young Cuban skateboarders and the ambitions of a few aging American and Cuban skateboarders to gets those kids a little slice freedom by way of a government approved skate park.

Shot during three visits to Cuba over a two year period. All three times were during different periods of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba. This first was just before Obama eased travel restrictions, The second was just after the US Embassy was reopened in Havana, and the final trip happened days after the Trump administration retightened travel and trade regulations with Cuba.

TITLE: Amigo Skate, Cuba

GENRE: Documentary

TRT: 73 Minutes

A Brandish Entertainment Production in association with Bohemian Adventures Productions

Produced by Chris Wedding and Vanesa Wilkey-Escobar

Cinematography by Chris Wedding

Edited by Florencia Marano
Graphics by John Cranston

Original Score by Devilsbelt

Music by X Alfonso, Barbaro, and Yimi Konclaze

Shot with Sony A7sii and GoPro cameras

Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Edited on Adobe Premiere Pro

Locations shot – Havana, Cuba / Miami, Florida USA

Languages – Spanish and English

Subtitles - English

Vanesa Wilkey-Escobar - Director and Producer

Vanesa’s first feature film as a Director marks a milestone in a decade long career in production. Taking on the role as a creative in various disciplines throughout her career in production she has played her hand in directing a producing as a new venture that has proven to be challenging and rewarding, adding more depth and layers to her creative CV.

Given her nomadic youth, Vanesa always found solace in creating. She was filled with a love for the Arts and tactile life experiences. This coupled with always being “the new kid” resulted in a natural interest in the human psyche. What inspires her work, illustrated in multiple mediums has always been understanding what motivates others. Observing the behavior of those she admires and exploring what makes them the incredible people they are.

Chris Wedding - Producer and Cinematographer

Award winning Producer and Cinematographer Chris Wedding has traveled the world as a visual storyteller. Since 2003 he has been living as a film maker in Los Angeles, California. “I grew up in Kansas City with parents who worked in the airline industry. Every time we got on a plane, I was thrilled I’d be seeing something new. I’ve never lost that need for adventure.”

Having shot all over the world for television and online publications, Chris has seen what vast commonalities people in every corner of the world share. Whether it be the jungles of the Amazon, the slums of India, or a large metropolis like Los Angeles - stories that transcend cultural boundaries can inspire us all.

When he’s not making a living telling stories for branded content or television, you’ll still find Chris with a camera around his neck and a passport in his hand. “There’s something that happens when I travel. I am compelled to share what I see and at the same time to make what I see compelling.” More information at www.BrandishEntertainment.com