X
  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Farbfilm-Verleih
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Farbfilm-Verleih
  • 1 h 40 m
This Ain't California

Summary This Ain't California is a celebration of the lust for life, a contemporary documentary trip into the world of skateboarding in the German Democratic Republic. The film follows its three heroes from their childhood in the seventies through their teenage rebellion in the eighties to the summer 1989 when their life changed forever.

Directed By: Marten Persiel

Written By: Ira Wedel, Marten Persiel

  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Farbfilm-Verleih
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • Farbfilm-Verleih
  • 1 h 40 m

This Ain't California

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
76
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary This Ain't California is a celebration of the lust for life, a contemporary documentary trip into the world of skateboarding in the German Democratic Republic. The film follows its three heroes from their childhood in the seventies through their teenage rebellion in the eighties to the summer 1989 when their life changed forever.

Directed By: Marten Persiel

Written By: Ira Wedel, Marten Persiel

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
76
67% Positive
6 Reviews
33% Mixed
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 9 Critic Reviews
76
67% Positive
6 Reviews
33% Mixed
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Apr 9, 2013
This Ain't California is a masterful lie that illuminates a little-known reality.
By Ernest Hardy FULL REVIEW
90
Apr 11, 2013
Smartly incorporating Sasa Zivkovic’s sweet and simple animation, as well as an exhilarating, punk-infused soundtrack, Mr. Persiel extends the film’s appeal beyond hard-core skaters.
By Jeannette Catsoulis FULL REVIEW
80
Apr 17, 2013
“Dogtown and Z-Boys” meets “The Lives of Others” in This Ain’t California, a spirited not-quite-documentary portrait of the skateboarding subculture that flourished in East Germany in the early 1980s.
By Scott Foundas FULL REVIEW
75
Apr 8, 2013
While the film is deeply romantic and nostalgic, possessing a genuine reverence for youth and rebellion, it's also something of a tragedy.
By Drew Hunt FULL REVIEW
63
Apr 11, 2013
A trove of home videos, vintage commercial and propaganda footage and black-and-white animation dress up this energetic if somewhat unfocused look at the birth of skateboarding in the German Democratic Republic.
By Sara Stewart FULL REVIEW
60
Nov 3, 2013
Though set in a divided country, it’s an effervescent period piece, edited with verve: Persiel combines recreations with archive footage, animation and home videos.
FULL REVIEW
60
Apr 9, 2013
It ain’t bad, though all that detritus detracts from a far more interesting history lesson on repression and rebellion that’s left on the periphery.
By David Fear FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Neue Heimat Filmproduktion, ARTE, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR), Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), Tonfabrik Audio Productions
Release Date Apr 12, 2013
Duration 1 h 40 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Website http://www.facebook.com/thisaintcalifornia
View All Details

Awards

Festival Univerciné Allemand
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Berlin International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Nashville Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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