POV Season 31 Episode 18 Minding The Gap

Minding The Gap is an episode from the 31st season of the documentary series POV, which focuses on exploring contemporary social issues through cinematic storytelling. This particular episode delves into the world of skateboarding through the eyes of three young men from Rust Belt Illinois, who use the sport as a means of escape from their troubled home lives.

The main subject of the film is Bing Liu, who also directs the episode. He is a Chinese-American who grew up in a broken family and found solace in skating with his two best friends, Zack and Kiere. As Liu starts to document his friends' lives and experiences on camera, he discovers unexpected parallels between their struggles and his own.

The first part of the episode introduces the audience to Zack, who comes from a chaotic household where he experienced physical abuse from his stepfather. Despite being a high school dropout, Zack is an incredibly talented skateboarder and aspires to turn his passion into a career. However, he soon realizes that his own demons and lack of resources make achieving his dream a lot more challenging than he initially anticipated.

The second subject is Kiere, who initially appears to be the most carefree and positive of the three. However, as the episode progresses, he starts to reveal the emotional scars he carries from growing up with a drug-addicted mother. Kiere's struggle to provide for his family and his habit of using skateboarding as an outlet for his anger and frustration are particularly resonant.

As Liu continues to document his friends' lives, the film explores themes of masculinity, trauma, race, and class. Through skateboarding, the three friends have found a way to express themselves freely, but at the same time, they are confronted with the harsh realities of an unequal society that often marginalizes them and their families.

Overall, Minding The Gap is a sensitive and poignant portrait of adolescence, friendship, and the struggle to overcome adversity. With its beautiful cinematography, rich storytelling, and insightful commentary, it manages to capture the complexities of human relationships in a way that is both personal and universal. Whether you are a fan of skateboarding or not, this episode will leave you with a deep appreciation for the power of human resilience and the importance of connection in the face of hardship.