Rom Boys: 40 Years of Rad

Rom Boys follows a tight knit crew whose lives grew around a one of a kind skate park that has become a local legend. When a sudden crisis endangers this space, a group of old school skaters, BMX riders and street artists bands together to defend it. The film stitches together personal histories, tricks, murals and memories to show how a community keeps a beloved venue alive. It tracks the planning meetings, fundraising pushes and small acts of disruption needed to stall decisions that could close the park for good. The result is a warm, unflinching portrait of passion, loyalty and the stubborn magic of a place that feels like family. The story unfolds with humor, grit and a sense of belonging.

Directed by Matt Harris, Rom Boys released in 2020 as a candid portrait of a skate and art subculture. It features interviews with Lance Mountain, Maximillion Cooper, John Buultjens, Bob Haro and Andy Ruffell, woven with archival and newer footage, and highlights the collaborative spirit behind the project.

Box office data for Rom Boys is not widely reported, reflecting its niche release path through festivals, limited theatrical runs and streaming. The film is positioned more as a cultural document than a mainstream commercial title, with generated buzz at small festivals and on streaming platforms.

Cultural impact: The documentary brings together generations from skateboarding, BMX and street art, preserving a space central to local memory. It offers glimpses of iconic scenes and personalities, and it resonates with fans who value subculture archives and community driven spaces, potentially inspiring future artists.

Reception across audiences and critics centers on its affectionate tone and focus on resilience. The film treats memory and belonging as driving forces, showing how art, sport and friendship can sustain a place under threat, while avoiding sensationalism and presenting real people with real stakes. It invites viewers to question what makes a neighborhood space worth defending.