We caught up with Dutch videographer and skateboarder Billy Pols, Director of Plank and winner for Best International Film at the 1st Annual LA Skate Film Festival.
First, Congrats on winning at the Festival! Can you introduce yourself a little: Age, where you’re from, where you live, what got you into skate filmmaking?
My name is Billy Pols, born in 1977 in South Africa. Me, my three sisters, brother and parents moved to The Netherlands about 16 years ago. We use to live on a farm in Africa.
I use to make small horror movies with my sisters. Ketchup, knives, masks and stuff like that. Like all skaters I grew up with having a camera nearby, filming tricks and messing around. My first ‘real’ project was a trick tip TV show with the biggest names in Holland. It was a pretty big hit over here, being the first in its kind it showed skateboarders in a way people haven’t seen before. As creative individuals rather than ‘skaters’…
Nowadays I’m a professional director making short films, commercials and documentaries al over the globe. Film is a combination of everything I like, stories, photography, music, rhythm and design. These elements put together right will break your heart.
How did you hear about the LA Skate Film Festival?
A Dutch friend of mine Fred van Schie lives in L.A. When I told him about the documentary with Nassim he immediately mentioned the L.A. Skate Film Festival.
I didn’t think much of it knowing that PLANK is not a typical skate video and probably wouldn’t fit. I told my assistant director Liedewij Theisens and producer Maarten Kuit about the festival, they liked the idea so we submitted the film.
What inspired you to film PLANK?
A documentary film festival in Amsterdam (IDFA) asked if I wanted to make a film for them. A few months earlier I saw Nassim Guammaz on Youtube, something about him triggered me. He wasn’t that good back then but he had something special. I called him up and slowly he let me into his world. PLANK was born.
Of course Nassim inspired me to make this film. I’ve been feeling the need to show the person behind the skateboard icon for a while. The public barely sees this and when they do its in a Jack Ass manner or very commercial.
What challenges did you face filming in Morocco?
The biggest challenge in making PLANK was to get Nassim to trust my crew and me. Without his trust the film would be superficial and weak. The interviews show the trust tension. Belief it or not, Nassim never wanted a documentary about himself. He kept the filming of PLANK a secret until it was aired on TV.
What’s the next step for you?
I would love to make another skate related documentary or film in the near future.
You are now able to view Plank (full version) here and at the following website:
http://www.hazazah.com/ – /directors/billypols/archive/plank/
What are your Top 3 favorite movies?
Skateboard movies: LIFE – Soldier story, PLAN B – Questionable, and GIRL – Fully flared
Feature films: The Shining, The Insider, and Perfume
What’s your favorite breakfast meal?
Smoothie, BLT’s & Caffe Latte.
What’s on your Itunes right now? Eagles of death metal, Feist, & Melody Gardot
About Plank:
Nassim Guammaz wants to become the best skateboarder in the world. His father says he has to choose a secure future, and the boys from the neighborhood think skateboarding is not for Moroccans. But Nassim follows his heart and does what he wants. This past summer, for the first time, he was not going to stay in Morocco with his family, but instead went to the Netherlands to compete in some important skateboard competitions.
