Skateboarding Prodigy Thalente Talks About His Life Being Displayed In “I Am Thalente”Posted by Wilson Morales
May 10, 2016
Coming out this week is I AM THALENTE, the story of Thalente Biyela, a teenage homeless black skater from a broken home in South Africa who struggles to overcome his circumstances and pursue a professional skateboarding career while being mentored and supported by top figures in the skateboard world, including Tony Hawk and Kenny Anderson.
Written and directed by Natalie Johns, the film and features fascinating skateboarding footage from around the world with Tony Hawk, Kenny Anderson, Guy Mariano, and Lance Mountain included.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Thalente about his life being shown for the world to see his growth.
How do you feel about your life story being told for the big screen?
Thalente: It’s surreal and more of a blessing than anything. I’m just happy that it’s finally out there for the world and being shared. I couldn’t be more happier with the way it has turned out.
How old were they started filming you?
Thalente: I think four years ago. Maybe five actually. We had talked about it before but I didn’t really think it was going to happen. I had been in a lot of these situations where people had heard my story and wanted to do something about it or make something of it but didn’t get around to do that because whatever funding and all the stuff that cones with making a film or trying to help someone get out of a certain situation made it hard for me to believe. “So, you actually want to do this? Tell my story to the world? You want to help me get my together?” When it happened, it was pretty amazing. If you have an understanding of the life that I have lived, then you understand that it’s an incredible spot that I’m in right now. I could be in the worst place possible but I’m not. I’m here trying to make something of my life.
What made Nathalie the right person for you to go with as the director?
Thalente: I don’t know. I really don’t. It was through a friend of a friend. It was someone I trusted. I didn’t question it. I did but I didn’t. I was ready for any sort of change to happen in my life at that point. I didn’t have to second guess anything. It just happened.
With this film being about your life, how much you involved in the editing process?
Thalente: A little bit. I watched some of the edits. I had to go in and watch some of the edits. It didn’t really matter to me. I didn’t feel it was my part or my job. That was the least of my worries to be honest.
Seen this film be put together, what did you learn about yourself? Was there anything left out?
Thalente: Not. You are getting the whole shebang. You’re getting the whole cake and you get to eat it too.
As you’re teaching kids now, what’s the one thing you telling them if they want to pursue skateboarding as a career?
Thalente: I feel that half the kids that I teach are not trying to pursue this as a career. They are just trying to have fun with it. But if I do get asked that sort of question, it’s really hard to answer there is no clear cut answer on how to use skateboarding as a career and how to make it. It’s about finding whatever you’re good at and working hard to stay true to yourself. Don’t go off your instincts.
What did you learn from meeting Tony Hawk?
Thalente: When you’re hanging out with Tony Hawk, it’s like “Holy Shit!” He’s a humble dude and really a good person. That was refreshing. Sometimes we put these people on pedestals when you see them in videos. It was good to see that he was a normal dude like myself that just happened to be really incredible at skateboarding.
Have you gone back home since you left?
Thalente: I’ve been back once.
How are you welcome there? Do they know about your success?
Thalente: Yes. They do. It’s been all over the media. It would hard for them to not find out. They welcomed me with opened arms. It was definitely different. I thought it would be a certain way and it ended up being exactly how I left it. That was nice.
I AM THALENTE will be released on digitally through Seed & Spark on May 13th, 2016 across digital platforms including iTunes, Time Warner, Comcast, Brighthouse, Cox, Verizon, iTunes, Amazon, Googleplay, Vudu, Sony Playstation, and Xbox. Also currently playing theatrically as event screenings in cities across the nation, including Los Angeles, Austin, Providence, Cambridge, San Diego, Minneapolis
