My deep appreciation for the talents of acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Sam Jones are well-documented in this site. To be honest, for any subject Sam chooses to make a film about, I will be on the edge of my seat. As you may have heard, Sam’s new HBO documentary, “Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off” premieres tonight on HBO Max.
A wide-ranging, definitive look at Hawk’s life and iconic career, and his relationship with the sport with which he’s been synonymous for decades. Hawk, born in San Diego, Calif., is a pioneer of modern vertical skating and one of the most influential skateboarders of all time. The documentary features unprecedented access, never-before-seen footage, and interviews with Hawk, and prominent figures in the sport including Stacy Peralta, Rodney Mullen, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Neil Blender, Andy MacDonald, Duane Peters, Sean Mortimer, and Christian Hosoi.
I’ve also been watching as Sam, Tony, and their illustrious friends have been promoting this project, building up to tonight’s release. Heightening the unfolding story’s drama behind-the-scenes, a skating accident on March 7 left our hero with a broken femur… but even that didn’t stop him from attending the film’s SXSW premiere a few days later. My heart goes out to this legendary athlete, and I’m also floored by Trey Elling’s impressive interviewing skills showcased during the event’s red carpet.
