In every extreme sport, whether it be skateboard or bmx or some other, there is a high appreciation for that great big whale, the holy grail of tricks by which you will be known for. Bert Ribul is in search for the next big trick, but there is a risk involved. Bert is from the capital of a small eastern european country – Tallinn, Estonia. Sponsorship almost is non-existent. After Circle of Balance competition in 2012, he was signed by Red Bull. After some time he had a knee injury that stopped him from competing on the world stage for a few years. However, he managed to get back on the bike again.
Progression has always been an integral part of the sport that is BMX. Bert is a very skilled and progressive rider. For 5 years a trick has been brewing in Bert’s head and as time went on nobody has ever got it done. It requires precision both mentally and physically. As most extreme sports athletes who come from the western countries, primarily from the states, they have more opportunities in respect to monetary support. Since sponsorship of any kind isn’t developed in Estonia at all, Bert has to work and this diminishes the time he can actually practice. Estonia is situated near Finland and we have cold and rainy Autumns which are then followed by freezing and snowy temperatures. This in turn limits the time Bert is possible to ride outside and utilizes underground parking lots to practice and learn new tricks. These parking lots are not heated. Temperatures are at around +5-8 C during winter, which is also something that Bert has to battle on a daily bases.
This is a film about perseverance, strong will, internal struggle, dedication, love and hate towards the sport of BMX.
Film by: Dmitri Shushuyev
Starring: Bert Ribul, Saku Kaarnanen, Erik Laev and Anar-Erik Kütsar.
Director of Photography: Dmitri Shushuyev
Editor | Sound | Color Grade: Dmitri Shushuyev