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Ali Boulala is one of the world’s most famous Swedish exports. A professional skateboarder who has been traveling the world, living a life that most could only dream of. Becoming an almost mythical character in the skate world, Ali gained notoriety for his obsessional nature and being the one who did everything in his own way. Always against the grain. But when Ali was at his peak, everything came crashing down.
On the 7th of March in 2007, Ali and his friend and skateboard prodigy Shane Cross were partying in Melbourne, Australia. They got on a motorbike together, Ali lost control and they crashed into a wall. Shane died that night in the hospital. Ali was severely injured and fell into a coma.
After waking up, Ali found himself imprisoned in Australia. Recovering in jail, Ali was unable to walk unhindered, eat on his own, let alone skate. When he was released he was immediately deported to Sweden.
Trying to cope with the death of his friend and the loss of the ability that defined him, Ali turned to drinking and drug abuse, the one thing he felt he could still do after the accident. In 2013, after another crash, Ali was faced with a choice, drive full speed into a wall, killing himself or get sober.
Today, Ali has been sober for 2020 days and counting. He is living a tranquil life, playing the piano and walking his dog. But he still struggles. Through all the years since the accident there is not one day passing without him thinking about the accident and carrying the guilt. Ali has never spoken to Shane Cross’s parents. When he was in prison he wrote them several letters but never sent them. They are still lying unopened in an old box in a closet. Ali has now reached a point in his life where he has realised that in order to be able to move on from this limbo he is living and deal with the fear of facing the past. This film will follow Ali on this journey.
2021 Festival di Sevilla (Spain) - Spanish Premiere
2021 Festival dei Popoli (Ilaty) - Special Screening
2021 Tribeca Film Festival (USA) - Documentary Competition (World Premiere)
2021 Les Arcs Industry Village (France)