I AM Thalente is a verité documentary about once homeless skateboarder Thalente Biyela’s journey from the streets of South Africa to Los Angeles, California and into the heart of skateboarding.
The producers have turned to specialist film crowdfunding platform Seed & Spark to finance the completion of the documentary film armed with massive support of the skate community who are providing incentives to those who support the film.
Thousands of “street-kids’ roam the city centers of South Africa. Whilst this story hinges on Thalente’s love of skateboarding, it gives insight into the challenges these youth face due to lack of role models, illiteracy and family which is replaced by community in this film. Through Thalente’s attempt to overcome his own limitations and make his place in society, we explore a unique perspective on skateboarding and the power of uncompromised acceptance, community and individuality. Our contribution need only be to understand, not to judge, in order to change the way we look at the world and in doing so we are one step closer to addressing the wide spread epidemic of homeless youth in South Africa.
