Locarno Film Festival Entry 'Destroy All Girls' Examines Skater Subculture
Erin Vassilopoulos's film 'Destroy All Girls' premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, offering an anthropological look at the enduring skater subculture. The drama follows a young woman from New Jersey who joins a group of traveling skater boys. The review describes the movie as hip and evocative.
The 87-minute feature premiered in Locarno's Cinema of the Present strand. It was co-written by lead actress Ani Mesa-Perez alongside Gil Perez-Abraham, Flo Baumann, and director Erin Vassilopoulos.
The plot follows Alex, whose brother Gabriel is paralyzed after a car accident, prompting her to flee her strained home life. She joins the Prospers, a traveling group led by Scottish skater Cameron, living in a refurbished bus while documenting their exploits.
By framing the skater scene through a female protagonist's eyes, the film could prompt audiences to reconsider the casual misogyny often overlooked in male-centric subcultures. It may also resonate with young women facing similar familial pressures, offering a narrative of escape and self-discovery. Additionally, its festival premiere could influence how independent cinema portrays niche communities, balancing authenticity with critical observation.