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The Devil's Toy

This short 1969 documentary dedicated "to all victims of intolerance” depicts the dawn of skateboarding in Montreal. A new activity frowned upon by police and adults, skateboarding gave youngsters a thrilling sensation of speed and freedom. This film - the first Canadian documentary ever made about the sport - captures the exuberance of boys and girls having the time of their lives in free-wheeling downhill locomotion.
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This short 1969 documentary dedicated "to all victims of intolerance” depicts the dawn of skateboarding in Montreal. A new activity frowned upon by police and adults, skateboarding gave youngsters a thrilling sensation of speed and freedom. This film - the first Canadian documentary ever made about the sport - captures the exuberance of boys and girls having the time of their lives in free-wheeling downhill locomotion.

Sports and Leisure Children and Youth All subjects
  • director
    Claude Jutra
  • writer
    Claude Jutra
  • producer
    Marcel Martin
  • camera
    Michel Brault
  • sound
    Sidney Pearson
  • editing
    Werner Nold
  • music
    Pierre F. Brault
    Geneviève Bujold

Education

Ages 11 to 17
School subjects
Civics/Citizenship - Citizen Responsibilities Diversity - Identity Health/Personal Development - Fitness/Physical Activities History and Citizenship Education - Modernization of Quebec Society (1929-1980)

A short documentary about the dawn of skateboarding culture in Montreal. Ideal for discussions, research assignments, and essays about youth culture and counterculture in post-World War II Quebec. How do contemporary attitudes towards skateboards and skater culture compare and contrast to the attitudes depicted in the film? What objects have the same symbolic role of the skateboard today? Why do you think skateboards and similar objects can be perceived as threats to social order? The film is dedicated to “all victims of intolerance.” What does that mean for the film? What does that mean for you? 

The Devil's Toy
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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