ShAFF2020: Bike Films 1 12A

A selection of the best biking films from the last year.

The Legend of Rafael - 7 minutes

A beautiful story about the power of two wheels and a community built through bicycling. After a devastating breakup, Rafael finds solitude and restoration on the open road, pedaling his way to emotional health from Mexico City to northern Colorado. With just $500 to his name, he spearheads a revolution to help the underprivileged members of his new neighborhood the best way he knows how—repairing their bicycles.

Three Peaks Cyclocross 2019 - EF Gone Racing - 15 minutes

From mountain bike epics to week-long ultras, gravel dashes to cyclocross mayhem, a group of pioneering WorldTour cyclists from EF Education First swapped the rigours of road cycling for a look at the frontiers of the sport around the world in 2019. In collaboration with Rapha, they became the first team in pro-cycling history to race a calendar of alternative, mixed-terrain, multi-discipline events. Launched with a mutual ambition to change the presentation and appeal of professional cycling, the characters in the team raced at mass-participation events all over the world. The latest instalment of Rapha's EF Gone Racing saw Australian pro Lachlan Morton land in Yorkshire. An iconic race on the British cycling calendar, the Three Peaks Cyclocross event has drawn hundreds to the Dales for more than 50 years. But are these runners and riders, runners or riders? Tune in to find out how Morton fared on foot and in the saddle.

The Life Of Pie - 11 minutes

In 2002, mountain bikers and entrepreneurs Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller moved to Fruita, Colorado, in search of cheap rent, world-class single track, and free time to ride. Over 15 years later, the two unconventional women have helped reshape one of the state’s most conservative towns, uniting the community through advocacy, inclusivity, and damn good pizza.

The Postman - 8 minutes

Clinging to the frayed edges of the ragged shores of the Isle of Harris, a singletrack path navigates its way above cliffs, around bays. Three friends make the trip to not only ride the Postman’s Path to Rhenigidale, but find out more about its history. Until a road to the village opened in 1990, the path was the only overland link between Rhinigidale and the outside world. Kenny Mackay – the last postman to walk the track shares his stories – tales of community, survival and love. They leave with a deeper understanding that this trail goes beyond being a simple physical connection between two places. It symbolises the emotional and practical ties to the landscapes humans call home.

Silk City Bomb Squad - 3 minutes

A profile of The Bomb Squad, a freestyle bike crew from Paterson, NJ. Inspired by Nolan Price's photo book "Boots + the Bomb Squad"

Wonderful Losers: A Different World - 72 minutes

Director’s Guild of America Award-winning director Arūnas Matelis (“Before Flying Back to the Earth”) new documentary feature WONDERFUL LOSERS: A DIFFERENT WORLD, one of the most awarded films of 2017 with 17 international awards in its account This is the first-time in over 40 years, an independent-filmmaker outside of the broadcast networks who has been allowed to film behind the scenes an exclusive insider look at the notorious and celebrated Italian Grand Tour Cycling race Giro d'Italia. Filmed over several years, Arūnas Matelis and his crew joined the medic teams to reveal the unseen footage of the riders at the back of the race - the so-called "water carriers," "domestiques," "Gregarios" - who forego their careers and personal victories for the sake of victory for their leader. Its heroes are athletes undertaking the most difficult challenges, while remaining in the shadow of leaders, without the right to personal victory. Through their sacrifice, they pave the way to victory for the band's stars, becoming a universal symbol of sacrifice. Director and screenwriter: Arunas Matelis Script researcher and consultant: Edita Pucinskaite Cinematographers: Mark Olexa, Ivars Zviedris, Simone Rivoire, Giordano Bianchi, Valdis Celmins, Audrius Kemezys, Giacomo Becherini, Paolo Beniti, Vincent O’Callaghan, Arunas Matelis, Jose Luis González Editing: Mirjam Jegorov Composer: Alberto R. Lucendo Sound: Raf Enkels Producers: Arunas Matelis, Algimante Mateliene for Studio Nominum (Lithuania) Co-producers: Elena Filippini & Stefano Tealdi & Edoardo Fracchia for Stefilm (Italy), Mark Olexa & Francesca Scalisi for DOK Mobile (Switzerland), Uldis Cekulis for VFS Films (Latvia), Bram Crols & Mark Daems for Associate Directors (Belgium), Deaglan O Mochain for Dearcan Media (N. Ireland/UK), Jeremiah Cullinane for Planet Korda Pictures (Ireland), Rafa Molés, Patricia Velert, Pepe Andreu for SUICAFilms (Spain)