This Ain't California (2012)

An anthem to the spirited insurgence of life, 'This Ain't California' is a vibrant, kinetic documentary that thrusts us into the obscure and electrifying world of the "Rollbrettfahrer" or skateboarders of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In an era where loyalty to the regime and political resistance coexisted, a dynamic breed of youthful renegades arose, their rebellion fueled by the tantalizing illusion of eternal youth and freedom. This is a tale of three children discovering an outrageous sport on the fractured tarmac of the GDR—an audacious, even unacceptable sport, which perhaps drew its intoxicating allure from its pure eccentricity. A punk fairy-tale birthed by a band of kids with an insatiable zeal for life, this film uncovers a side of GDR life that was previously unexplored, captured with raw honesty on their super 8mm film. The narrative weaves its way through the fabric of time, tracing the trio's journey from their innocent childhood in the seventies, their tumultuous teenage rebellion in the eighties, culminating in the pivotal autumn of 1989. Now in their twenties, the world they once knew was on the brink of an irreversible transformation. 'This Ain't California' is more than just a documentary—it's a moving celebration of the vibrant lust for life. It is an evocative exploration into the world of rollerboarding, a phenomenon that was considered a glaring misfit on the streets of the GDR. This film is a testament to the subversive power of joy in a part of Germany that had seemingly lost touch with its inhabitants. The film's narrative arc sweeps through decades, from the trio's formative years, through their rebellious adolescence, capturing their final summer in the GDR in 1989. Their lives were about to be irrevocably altered, setting the stage for a follow-up to their stories in 2011. 'This Ain't California' is not just a story—it's an immersive, exhilarating trip into a time, a place, and a spirit that defied the world they were born into, a testament to the transcendent power of passion and freedom.

This Ain't California is an animation movie featuring Kai Hillebrand and directed by Marten Persiel.

It is possible to buy This Ain't California on Amazon Video and Apple TV.