While I have never had the pleasure of working directly with award-winning writer, producer, director, author, and creative executive James Sweigert – nor have we ever met in person – we have become well-acquainted over the past 15 years or so. The paths we’ve forged individually have never quite overlapped, and yet, through an incredibly vast shared network, our virtual connections have generated sparks.
Back in 2019, James published his book, “If You Say So: My Story and How I Changed It To Save My Life.” At that time, I was hustling to match that achievement as closely as possible; his professionalism and bravery sharing his story blazed the trail for me and countless others.
Since then, those who follow James on social media saw the evidence of the passion he was pouring into his next great creative feat: a feature-length skateboarding documentary dedicated to Northern California’s N-Men. Now available for all to see, here is the description for the film that earned him Best Director honors at 2023’s Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, where it was also nominated for Best Picture.
N-Men: The Untold Story, is an intimate look at an underground skateboard crew from Northern California, who went on to have a global impact on skateboarding. 50 years later they are still going strong. Their story has never been told, until now.
Featuring Josh Brolin, Tony Hawk, Tony Alva, Steve Caballero, Tommy Guerrero, Christian Hoisoi, many of official and honorary N-Men, and even Mr. Sweigert himself, my visionary friend has captured a timeless tale for our generation. Documenting the birth of skateboarding in his Northern California homeland, he taps his own deep expertise and that of cinematographer Jeffrey A. Gonzalez, editors Dean Gonzalez and Tyler Pharo, and many other immense talents.
The resulting cinematic journey illuminates poignant human stories from their thrill-seeking origins through to the present, colorfully showcasing the awe-inspiring impacts and friendships they’ve experienced along the way.
Catch it now on Amazon Prime or via Vimeo on demand by visiting https://www.nmenthemovie.com.
Featured Video: N-Men: The Untold Story (2023) Official Trailer
Featured Image: Key art for N-Men: The Untold Story