Impossibly cool while remaining relatable, the young women at the center of “Betty” are amazing athletes and seem like they’d make equally amazing company. An adaptation of Crystal Moselle’s 2018 pic “Skate Kitchen,” HBO’s comedy series tells the story of an all-female group of skaters in New York City determined to get respect in a scene dominated by dudes.
The majority of “Skate Kitchen’s” cast returns for the series, including Nina Moran, Rachelle Vinberg, Dede Lovelace, and Ajani Russell.
Refreshingly, the skating crew actually reflects New York City, a racially and culturally diverse city that often skews heavily white in TV and film. The skaters come from different backgrounds and classes and have different sexual orientations, but they’re united by their love of the sport. Some are loud and confrontational. Others are meek and evade drama at all costs. Some are quick to call out the patriarchy. Others are more concerned with fitting in with the boys. The crew is far from monolithic — and tensions often arise due to their differing perspectives on everything from race to #MeToo.
“I worked for over a year with a group of real teenage skateboarder girls to create a film that was semi based on their lives,” Moselle told us ahead of “Skate Kitchen’s” Sundance premiere. “I met the characters from the story on the train and became friends with them, and was incredibly inspired to make a film based on their lives.”
The project’s unconventional genesis contributes to its sense of authenticity. “Betty,” its protagonists, and their friendships seem so real — at times it feels as though the camera is simply following the skaters around, capturing their unique brand of magic. I especially loved how the skaters make such an effort to welcome other women to their ranks. Realizing how intimidating it can be for girls and women to take up the sport, they encourage their peers to simply pick up a board and have fun.
In some ways, “Betty” feels like an heir to “Broad City,” which also saw its leads smoking excessive amounts of pot, embarking on misadventures on the streets of NYC, and paying tribute to one another’s glory.
“Betty” premieres on HBO today, May 1. Moselle directed and co-wrote alongside “Love” co-creator Lesley Arfin and “Divorce” scribe Patricia Breen.
https://youtu.be/Mif1RfqyUPw
