RENDEZ-VOUS SKATE CO – KINGDOM
Rendez-Vous Skate Co
K I N G D O M
Rendez-Vous Skate Co
K I N G D O M
The good people over at Rendez Vous Skate Co. just released their first full length video. Featuring Jonathan Franc, Antony Baclene, Pablo Six, César Bijnens, Pierre Alexandre, Victor Meyers, Alina Saytkhanova, Raphaël Detienne and many more. Since this one feels like a love letter to the city of Brussels and its people, we hit up Philippe Mottet (the lensman and editor behind the video) and got a little ABC on his hometown, that you’ll find down below ;)
A: Anthony Baclene
The most reliable friend anyone could ever ask for. His part in Kingdom included, we’ve already filmed six parts together.
B: Brussels
That’s where I live and that’s where all them spots are.
C: César Bijnens
Currently the most productive guy in the city.
D: Dimanche
The best day to go on a mission (= Sunday).
E: Été
The best of all seasons (= Summer).
F: Full length
The most beautiful representation of skateboarding.
G: Geoffrey Van Hove
A local legend, who skated on an extremely high level at his time. He went on to film three full length videos in and around the city of Brussels and so much more. Check out his part in Homemade 3!
H: Halfcab Backside Smith
The last trick of the video. César got it five days after we had already held the premiere in a cinema; one week before the YouTube release. The night before he set out to do it, he actually put up some road signs in front of the rail to make sure no cars would be parked in the landing the next day.
I: Intro
Especially the intro for César’s part has been a lot of fun working on. César’s a laboratory technician and “borrowed” some equipment from work, so we could shoot a fun little something in my living room. Eva, my partner, was our assistant.
J: Johnny
Jonathan Franc loves partying as much as stacking clips. I feel like we’re polar opposites, yet we spend an incredible amount of time together. He’s been a great friend for the last 15 years and we’ve filmed 7 parts together (Kingdom included).
K: Kingdom
The first Rendez-vous Skate Co. full length!
L: Lionel Krop
Local legend with an incredible pop. He’s been a big influence on all of us and you can see briefly see him after Pablo’s last trick. Also check out his part in Homemade 3!
M: Monts des Arts
An iconic Brussels spot, particularly adored by Raphaël (Detienne).
N: Noseslide Nollieflip
Probably the trendiest trick of last year. So of course there’s some in Kingdom, too: Pablo’s got one on this long ledge in Liège and Johnny did one mid line.
O: Obsession
All these hours of filming, editing, going back to spots, … there needs to be at least some level of obsession if you really wanna make a skate video.
P: Pablo Six
He might seem like a party boy, but he’s also a very meticulous, responsible and attentive person. Appreciated by everyone and always the first one up. If you’ve got Pablo with you, you’re in for a good day!
Q: Quarantine
During those days, we got our little local brand started. Well, the last few days of editing before the premiere also felt like quarantine.
R: Rendez-vous Skate Co
Check out our website ;)
S: Saint-Gilles
The city’s liveliest quarter and geographical heart of the skate scene. Place Louis Morichar remains the ultimate meet up spot, La Pompe remains a bar you gotta hit as a skater and just across the road there’s the cultural center Jacques-Franck, where we premiered our video.
T: Thibaut Lenaerts
Another local legend, with whom I got to film a clip just five days before the video premiere. Check out his part in Homemade 2! His son Lewis is already down for skating and actually looks quite a bit like him. The future’s in good hands!
U: Ursu
The Ursulines skatepark, a staple for locals, and for decades the only so-called skatepark in the city. Fortunately, some new parks have popped up in recent years – there’s progress, but still not nearly enough.
V: Varial Heelflip
One of my favourite tricks. I particularly like the one that César on Liège’s Carlsbad Gap (see 36:25). It’s one of those gaps that’s just bigger than it ever looks on camera.
W: Wax and Water
The essentials for going on a mission.
X: XL (Ixelles)
A central city quarter of Brussels, where Johnny, Victor and Pablo live. César’s crooked grind on the electric box is on place Flagey in Ixelles.
Y: Yves
The boss of Ride All Day, Belgium’s oldest skateshop (since 1994). You’ll find it in the heart of Brussels, near Mont des Arts. Yves definitely a key figure in the Belgian skate scene and there’s not many lift like him. Among others, he’s been supporting César for the past three years.
Z: Zwijsens, Quentin
A true virtuoso! He came through with an impressive, personalised piano cover to close out Pablo’s part. His trick follows Pablo’s part like a little signature. Thanks again, Quentin!
