We already warned you whilst presenting "SUGUS": "GRRRND ZERO" is the new project by Julien Paccard, already the author of "COLOR FOOLS" which LIVE broadcasted half a decade ago, no less. Now, we're talking about an audiovisual production in the most literal sense of the term as in addition to the skate footage, the soundtrack is also home-made by Tommy Buder, and the multimedia aspect of the whole deal also takes a new dimension in how the focus is over the patient documentation of the textures skateboarders use and abuse, over an emphasis on individual prowess with little room for context. In every clip (because yes, this is a series), everybody just skates together - with the type of surface glided over as one common denominator.
Skateshop Balargue from the suburbs of Paris picked this December, twenty-fourth to glorify the tenth letter in the alphabet: "J" (pronounced "G" in French), their newest offering, is no less than a full-length video mostly filmed and edited by local, Thomas Courteille. The resulting twenty minutes are packed with youthful energy, and spots most Parisian skaters themselves tend to ignore; the homies vibe is ever-so-present, Juan Renoux, Lucas Langasco, Hadrien Haverland or Alix Malnati are in, Tao unleashes the noseslide big spin at some unknown spot in the same classic style as ever - all magnified by a pristine presentation which - maybe - only takes one sole risk: the commendable one of honesty.
The principle is quite simple, a small French team and a Phil Zwijen as bonus (sacred bonus) went on a trip from Paris to Lyon via Lille, Tours and Clermont-Ferrand to discover spots almost unknown to the general public, in short, an alternative route (itiniéraire bis) to the good skate video. With Marca Barbier, Hugo Corbin, Matt Débauché, Santiago Sasson and the extravagant Hadrien Haverland (that we unfortunately rarely have the opportunity to admire in this kind of videos), we must obviously expect a big dose of good mood, which really put forward in the Raw cuts. And to immortalize this atmosphere and this skateboarding style that breathes creativity who is a better choice than Olivier Fanchon? We just need some nice guests like Jo Dezecot or Jérémie Daclin for it to be perfect ...
What’s a city? Its people, we say… More than its architectural specifics or urban furniture. Because they are making the doing and undoing, the everyday life of the city, and pumps in and out the blood into its streets.
This is why, when came the idea to shoot a snapshot of Paris in its Now, we all looked at Augustin Giovannoni, because he knows everybody, because he is everywhere at the same time, and because he always knows what is up. He is skateboarding in Paris. And it has been true since we launched LIVE –and even before that– despite his young age. Here lies his very own take on his city, one that belongs as much to its locals as its visitors. He’s crossed paths with them all, during a year, and here is what he made of it all.
A report supported by Nike SB, illuminated by Alexis Jamet’s animations and put in music by Matias Elichabehere, through a custom fit new track.
