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Who Killed Rollerblading? [Special Presentation]
Director: Shahbano Farid
Crew:Producers: Shahbano Farid, Sean Keane, Emma Crouchen Brian Kelly, Juliana Bonomo; Cinematography: Andrew Maso; Editor: Peter Wagner
Synopsis
Who Killed Rollerblading? explores the meteoric rise and sudden fall of rollerblading in the 1990s and early 2000s. Through the story of its most iconic figure, Arlo Eisenberg, the film unravels how a once-exploding movement was cut down before it ever had the chance to fully take hold. From corporate backlash to its abrupt disappearance from the X Games, and a fervent rejection from skateboarders around the world (including VICE), a thriving subculture was pushed back into the shadows almost overnight. So we asked the question: who the hell killed rollerblading?
About the director
Shahbano Farid is a Pakistani-American director and writer whose mission it is to understand the human experience one person at a time. With a penchant for sharing stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things, Shahbano’s work spotlights emerging talents and celebrates subcultures around the world. Previously, Shahbano has worked on documentaries for brands like VICE, Olympic Channel, ATTN:, Bon Appetit and Conde Nast Traveler. Her first solo documentary short, Karachi at Night (2024) — about the city's underground DIY dance scene, produced with Resident Advisor — was an official selection of the 2024 Rung Film Festival. She is currently in post production on her latest documentary short, Bulleji Boys, chronically coastal fisherman who are building surf culture in Pakistan, set to premiere in 2026.