All rights reserved. The other nominees included In … Coming Soon, Regal Contests. Write About It! In one corner, teens gather atop a 6-foot-tall platform. Laiqa, for one, begged her parents for years to allow her to attend classes alongside her brothers. But girls and women fared even worse. „Learning To Skate In A War Zone“ ist nominiert: ‚Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If You’re A Girl)‘ follows a class of girls at Skateistan, a nonprofit that began as a skate school in Kabul in 2007 and grew into a multinational educational initiative. Female students in Kabul, Afghanistan, learn how to skate. During this ongoing conflict, Skateistan opened its skate school in Kabul in 2009. Click the Google Classroom button below to share the Know the News quiz with your class. And last year, a documentary about a group of female students in Kabul, Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl), won the Oscar for best short documentary. They are also learning key life skills, including courage and teamwork. Here, hundreds of students are now perfecting ollies, kickflips, and other tricks. About half of Skateistan’s students are girls. . “So our goal is that through skateboarding and education, we can help them build resilience, set goals, and have a whole lot of fun at the same time.”. Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (if you're a girl) is a 2019 British documentary short film directed by Carol Dysinger and produced by Elena Andreicheva. Such lessons are important for kids in all parts of the globe, and especially in Afghanistan. Before attending Skateistan, one student routinely sold gum in the streets of Kabul. As a result, for a long time now, young people there have lived in fear of another attack, seen soldiers patrolling the streets, and been awoken by gunfire during the night. If you haven't seen the film "Skateboarding in a War Zone" it is not to be missed. Stories. Boys and their teacher practice handstands in Bamyan, Afghanistan, Skateistan’s newest location. But some people in Afghanistan still object to girls doing physical activities (see “Understanding Women’s Rights in Afghanistan,” below). At first glance, it looks like an ordinary indoor skate park. Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.2, WHST.6-8.4, WHST.6-8.7, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.2, W.6-8.4, W.6-8.7, SL.6-8.1, SL.6-8.6, NCSS: Culture • Time, Continuity, and Change • Individual Development and Identity • Individuals, Groups, and Institutions, In the war-torn country of Afghanistan, a unique school that combines skateboarding and education is giving kids hope for a brighter future. In fact, the campus itself is hidden behind a tall, unmarked wall. He had recently moved to Afghanistan to join his girlfriend, who worked for an aid organization there, and had brought along some of his most prized possessions—his skateboards. Women were banned from holding most jobs. Today, the organization Percovich founded teaches students ages 5 to 17 more than skateboarding. Food & Drink. “We didn’t go [before] because our home was always in a state of war,” she says. . Girls older than 8 were barred from going to school. and the Terms and Policies, They go on field trips to local factories, learn about civics and the environment, and take art classes. They discuss the challenges Afghanistan faces. About 20 percent of Skateistan’s students have similar jobs, working in the streets before or after school or on days they don’t attend. But this is an unusual school, run by an organization called Skateistan. (Only two other countries—Syria and Venezuela—have produced more refugees.) It featured the country’s first-ever skate park. In 2011, Skateistan began running programs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Stories. At Skateistan, however, female students can run around, skateboard, and laugh with friends. But “girls are often barred from those activities,” says Faulkner. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. But in 2007, kids on the streets of Kabul saw something that would change many of their lives forever: an Australian man named Oliver Percovich rolling around the city on his skateboard. Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl) is an inspiring short film following four young Afghan girls and their teachers at the Kabul-based Skateistan School House and Skatepark. That is something young people in many other parts of the world often take for granted. In 1996, a terrorist group called the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and imposed strict rules based on their extreme interpretation of the Islamic religion. That is rare in Afghanistan, where girls have long been discouraged from playing sports. They eagerly wait for a turn to fly down the ramp. Taliban leaders took away many basic freedoms. Whenever older girls and women left their homes, they had to wear burqas. Learn to Skate - March. Saturday, October 19 – 12:00 pm. MOCA Geffen, Warehouse. And because of continued fighting between the Taliban and Afghan forces, many parts of Afghanistan remain volatile and unsafe. |. About 12,000 students have completed Skateistan’s programs so far. Coming Soon. As You Read, Think About: What important life skills can be learned from skateboarding? In Afghanistan, about half the population lives in poverty. Many kids, girls and boys alike, also have to work to help their families get by. But in 2007, kids on the streets of Kabul saw something that would change many of their lives forever. After attacks on her hometown, she and her family relocated to Mazar-e-Sharif. The film follows a class of girls at Skateistan, a nonprofit that began as a skate school in Kabul in 2007 and grew into a … About 20 percent of Skateistan’s students have similar jobs. TM ® & © 2021 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. That’s rare in Afghanistan, where girls have long been discouraged from playing sports. Laiqa, for one, begged her parents for years to allow her to attend classes alongside her brothers, but they simply couldn’t afford it. Skateboarding gives them courage and life skills that help them thrive and adapt to the challenges that lie ahead. It opened in 2013. | Fresh (2). The story of young afghan girls learning to read, write, and skateboard, in Kabul. Not much positive news tends to come out of Afghanistan, but a pocket of it shines through in one of this year’s Oscar-nominated documentary shorts. Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) (. LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) tells the story of young Afghan girls learning to read, write—and skateboard—in Kabul. These girls are part of Skateistan’s female soccer team in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. Until recently, many of these kids in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, had never even touched a skateboard, let alone ridden one. . Over the years, the Taliban and other extremist groups have carried out deadly attacks on schools, businesses, and government buildings. But girls and women fared even worse. “Skateistan was like a dream for me,” says 12-year-old Laiqa*. “A lot of our students are growing up in unstable environments, in places where their futures are uncertain, where there are a lot of dangers,” says Jessica Faulkner, who works at Skateistan. made a lot of positive changes in my life.”. Learning to Skate in a War Zone In the war-torn country of Afghanistan, learning to skateboard in a warzone (if you're a girl) ( 47 ) IMDb 7.5 40min 2020 In the war-torn city of Kabul, a class of young girls from disadvantaged neighborhoods learns to read, write--and skateboard--in director Carol Dysinger's Academy Award-winning love letter to … View Programs. “Skateistan was like a dream for me,” says 12-year-old Laiqa*, who’s been a student there for nearly two years. Instead of going to school, many Afghan girls have to help look after their younger siblings. But many Taliban fighters simply retreated into the nation’s rugged, mountainous countryside, where they regrouped and have continued to carry out deadly attacks. Taliban fighters in western Afghanistan in 2015. Submit an event Sumbit a classified. But the country’s ongoing violence is never far from students’ minds. Lesson Plan - Learning to Skate in a War Zone. All Critics (2) About three years ago, Safia began taking classes there—the first time she’d ever attended school. Some have gone on to work at nonprofit groups, as nurses, or as teachers at Skateistan. Women now make up about a quarter of the country’s parliament—about the same percentage of women serving in the U.S. Congress. Some have gone on to work at nonprofit groups, as nurses, or as teachers at Skateistan. Watch the latest news videos and the top news video clips online at ABC News. U.S. and Afghan troops have been battling them ever since. At Skateistan, both boys and girls can enjoy these resources. Part of the reason was to remove the Taliban from power (see “What You Need to Know,” above). Many of the camp’s residents live in mud-and-brick houses. Assign the 10-question Know the News quiz, available in PDF and interactive forms. They banned music, movies, and TV. Shot in Afghanistan, the film highlights the work of the non-profit Skateistan, which was founded in 2007 in Kabul to teach Afghan girls and boys how to skate. Their bright head scarves are covered by helmets. In another, 12-year-olds weave through orange traffic cones. Such lessons are important for kids in all parts of the globe, and in Afghanistan in particular. Laughter and joy take place within Skateistan. Lovingly captured by “Menace II Society” cinematographer Lisa Rinzler, “Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone (if you’re a girl)” could be seen as a triumph for international assistance, but Dysinger wisely resists that narrative, becoming far more galvanizing in conveying what Afghans are capable of once they feel enough stability to begin building something for themselves. But at this unique school, run by an organization called Skateistan, hundreds of students are now perfecting ollies, kickflips, and other tricks. Sometimes, parents with limited resources send their sons to school but not their daughters. The story of young afghan girls learning to read, write, and skateboard, in Kabul. Students learn reading, writing, math, and other subjects too. Courtesy of Lifetime Films/A&E IndieFilms. Life under Taliban rule was difficult. Skateistan focuses on recruiting girls from impoverished neighborhoods to not only teach them to skateboard, but to help them gain courage and life skills that will transcend skateboarding … Girls can pretty much do anything in the 21st century, unless they're in a warzone in Afghanistan. Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. That is a city in northern Afghanistan. They required men to grow beards and limited the types of clothes they could wear. But they simply could not afford it. They discuss their hopes for the future and how they can make their dreams a reality. The U.S.-led coalition quickly ousted the terrorist group and helped set up a new Afghan government. One bright spot for Safia is that the camp is near Skateistan’s second Afghan location. “I love skateboarding.”. “A lot of our students are growing up in unstable environments, in places where their futures are uncertain, where there are a lot of dangers,” says Jessica Faulkner. Each program comes with a Basic Skills record book, United States Figure Skating (USFS) registration, free skate rental, and … Many kids, girls and boys alike, also have to work to help their families get by. LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (If You're a Girl) Trailer Cultural and religious norms, along with other factors such as safety concerns and years of warfare, have resulted in limited athletic and recreational opportunities for women and girls, especially those who come from impoverished neighborhoods. Sign up to receive news, updates and promotional offers from The Zone Training. Coming Soon. . . “There was no other way to do it. Twelve-year-old Safia is one of them. These houses often lack electricity. Nominated in the Oscars 2020 Best Short Documentary category, Learning To … Then, in October 2001, the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan, in part to remove the Taliban from power (see “What You Need to Know,” above). Cannabis. In 1996, a terrorist group called the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Whenever older girls and women left their homes, they had to wear burqas—long cloaks that cover the whole body from head to toe—and be accompanied by a male relative. Best Netflix Shows and Series To Binge (January 2021), The 100 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (January 2021), 100 Best Movies on Amazon Prime To Watch (January 2021). So he stopped to show them a few simple tricks, and the idea for Skateistan was born. The lessons include 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of free skate. Now, she knows how to read and write—and earns some of the highest grades in her class. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! An alienated teenager, saddened that he has moved away from London, must find a way to deal with a dark family secret. Learning To Skate In A War Zone (If You're A Girl) Trailer from Grain Media on Vimeo. ‘Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If You’re A Girl)‘ follows a class of girls at Skateistan, a nonprofit that began as a skate school in Kabul in 2007 and grew into a multinational educational initiative. Safia is among thousands of children who have Skateistan to thank for a chance at a better future, in Afghanistan and around the world. In 2011, Skateistan began running programs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. “Skateistan . A documentary directed by Carol Dysinger that highlights the work being done by the Skateistan Foundation who teaches the girls of Kabul, Afghanistan to read and obtain the necessary knowledge to be strong, resilient women with all the capabilities needed to face the society in which they reside. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Submit an event Sumbit a classified. Learning To Skateboard In A Warzone (If You’re a Girl)— a short film documentary about the organization’s mission in Afghanistan—recently brought Skateistan back … 2019. ) Sign up here. How does Skateistan help kids in Afghanistan? Learning to Skateboard in a … Wherever he went, fascinated kids crowded around him, eager to learn how to ride. There’s much more to Skateistan than just sports, however (although skateboarding is by far the most popular activity). Documentary recently spoke with director Carol Dysinger about the making of the IDA Documentary Award-winning Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (if you’re a girl), and the significance of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science’s nomination for Best Documentary Short. (The vast majority of Muslim people, individuals who practice Islam, do not agree with the Taliban’s beliefs.). The Taliban oppose democracy, individual liberty, and tolerance of different faiths. They were not allowed to show their faces in public. Get Involved. Despite the laughter and joy that takes place within Skateistan, the country’s ongoing violence is never far from students’ minds. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. Anyone who broke these rules risked severe punishment, including public beatings, imprisonment, or even death. This past fall, the Taliban and the current Afghan government met for the first time to begin working on a peace deal to end the conflict. 'Learning To Skateboard In A War Zone (if You’re A Girl)' was made with an all-female crew Lovingly shot by Menace II Society cinematographer Lisa Rinzler, Learning to Skateboard … was made with an all-female crew. ... Stay up-to-date with what is happening at The Zone Training in Waterloo. (The vast majority of Muslim people—individuals who practice Islam—do not agree with the Taliban’s beliefs.). “I want to go to university and become a good teacher,” she says. They were eager to learn how to ride. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. According to the United Nations (U.N.), 3.7 million kids in Afghanistan do not have access to education. . The girls are so charming and disarming, it's easy to go along with their dreams and forget the reality of their situation. tuba Today, the organization Percovich founded teaches students ages 5 to 17 not only skateboarding but reading, writing, math, and other subjects. In fact, the campus itself is hidden behind a tall, unmarked wall to shield it from the outside world—and from people who may think it’s inappropriate for girls to play sports or get an education.