OFF THE RAILS: Salem Film Fest

Showing at Cinema Salem for Salem Film Fest

OFF THE RAILS is a kinetic snapshot of contemporary “loser” British youth addicted to the adrenalin of their daredevil Parkour stunts. Graduating to more ambitious stunts in major European capitals, these thrill-seekers escape the numbing, high-unemployment realities of suburban England into hazardous, potentially fatal realms of global internet quasi-celebrity.

After their best friend’s tragic death, Rikke Brewer and Aiden Knox struggle in different ways. In pursuit of 15 million clicks of fame and money and a career as a YouTuber, outgoing Rikke seeks the dangerous thrill of UrbEx stunts as a way to numb his loss and pain. Aiden, more introverted, seeks solace in Parkour, while working menial jobs to pay for his increasing reliance on alcohol. Interweaving a decade of video-archives, filmmaker Day assembles a fast-paced survey of exhibitionist physical feats while neither condemning nor condoning them.

A Q&A with Director Peter Day follows screening at Cinema Salem.