Skateboarding Girl Fights Child Marriage in Macedonia

Macedonian filmmaker Dina Duma's "Skateboarding Is Not for Girls" is making waves, arriving at the Sarajevo Film Festival four years after its script won the Female Voices CineLink Award. The film centers on 11-year-old Adela, whose devotion to her sister Zara is tested when their mother faces financial hardship. To escape potential child marriage for Zara and their family's poverty, Adela enters a skateboarding competition.

The narrative, inspired by a young skateboarder in Islamic attire and a friend married at 14, transcends the sport. Duma uses skateboarding as a powerful symbol of liberation and female agency in Skopje, Macedonia, where the film was shot. It illustrates how patriarchal control is pervasive, even when men are absent from the scene.

Duma aims to ignite dialogue about child marriage in Macedonia, a significant issue often overlooked despite its proximity to urban centers. The film, which premiered at Tribeca, seeks to resonate with audiences by exploring themes of autonomy and independence.

The casting of Adela, portrayed by Efkjar Abaz, was a year-long process. Abaz, a local Skopje girl, captured Adela's rebellious spirit. The casting of Zara, played by Dzefrina Jashari, came about through Abaz's cousin, and their familial connection proved vital for the film's authenticity.

"Skateboarding Is Not for Girls" is a co-production involving Slovenia, Croatia, and Belgium, supported by the North Macedonian Film Agency. Duma expresses nervousness about the Sarajevo premiere, anticipating a receptive audience familiar with Balkan realities and cultural nuances.