About the Film
For nearly two decades, Staten Island’s RollerJam USA was the only year-round, dedicated roller rink in NYC. On May 4th, 2024 due to rising rent and challenging economic conditions, it was forced to shut its doors.
Shot over the course of the rink's final night, RollerJam: The Last Roll offers a rare glimpse into the vibrant, but often overlooked rollerskating subculture. Revealing interviews with legendary skate DJ Big Bob, and other key figures in the New York skate scene shed light on skating’s rich history, while heartfelt moments between RollerJam’s owner and loyal patrons capture this historic NYC rink's lively and diverse community.
Some background.... From the 1930s to the 50s, Rollerskating was a dominant American pastime with hundreds of rinks in cities and towns across the country, but it wasn’t until the disco boom of the 70s that its second wave of popularity reshaped the culture. In NYC, rinks like Empire Rollerdrome and The Roxy became the backdrop to the disco craze and dance skating and roller disco were born. Celebrities like Cher, Grace Jones, Richard Pryor and even Andy Warhol were fixtures on eight wheels, but as the disco era faded, and the commercial real estate boom of the 80s came, the rinks that could no longer afford big city real estate began to close. Roller skating is as alive now as it was in those earlier days. The covid pandemic brought with it a new renaissance for roller skating, but the economic forces that dominate real-estate in cities like New York have made maintaining a full-time roller rink nearly impossible. This short film is a window into the world of the skating community and a statement of hope that a culture that brings so many people peace and joy, can survive.
