A quick scroll through the Instagram account of roller skater Tre Skywalker (@entre-3000) shows you a man possessed — possessed with skills. It seems at first that his skating videos are all shot in reverse, until you realise that it’s Tre himself who’s in reverse; skating backwards at mind-blowing speeds.

Tre (along with Rue Ann Paisley) is the subject of Razvan Pestean’s roller skating short film Roller States (2022). Razvan created Roller States after noticing more and more roller skaters in London’s parks whose “energy and vibes were so contagious; moving with complete freedom and no attachment.” Roller States gets up close and personal with its two subjects in order to, in Razvan’s words, “give skaters a voice and take an intimate look at how skating influences who skaters are as people.”

Tre Skywalker’s skating life began as a family affair. Tre’s Dad skated in the ‘80s and ‘90s and he bought Tre a set of inline roller-blade skates as his first pair when Tre was six years old. In more recent times, Tre, like most street skaters, is now firmly committed to traditional or quad skates. He says, “skating with quads has so many more aspects to it. You can dance. You can do tricks. If you want to be funky, it’s got to be quads.”

So, what does skating mean to Tre?

“I just love it. It’s my outlet. We’re all living our lives, working hard, looking after our families, keeping our heads down. It can be a lot on yourself mentally. For me, I need something to express myself and release energy and skating helps me tune into the creative side of myself. When my skates are on, I put my heart and soul into it. What’s beautiful about skating is that it represents both community and individuality.”

Do you skate alone or with friends?

“Sometimes for me, I need to be by myself and reflect on things. So I spend a lot of time by myself skating. I might just go on a route somewhere. Sometimes I go to Victoria Park and I might take the route through the canal with my headphones on. But I skate with friends all the time too.”

What type of skater are you?

“I would say that I’m mostly a street skater. I like to take routes through the streets around Hackney and Shoreditch. I like jam skating too. Jam skating incorporates dance moves like Crazy Legs and the Crab Walk. I’m working on the Downtown move at the moment. But I wouldn’t class myself as a jam skater. I watch the jam skaters in Victoria Park and I’ll always try and learn something from them.”

What goes through your head when you’re skating?

“When I’m skating, I’m mostly in a state of feeling, not thinking. I’m in the moment. That’s why I love it so much. It’s just freedom. But, as a street skater, you’ve got to be super-aware of yourself and your surroundings — especially when you’re skating backwards. You don’t want to hit a pedestrian or get hit by a car. So, you’re always thinking ahead about what can happen and what to avoid. So, I guess the words going through my head might be ‘car, chill, slow down, relax, speed up, look.’ Survival words, if that makes sense.”

What do you wear when you’re skating?

“I love my jerseys. Football jerseys, hockey jerseys. I definitely go for the wacky side of skate fashion. When you’re skating, you’re free to be an art piece and wear things that you probably wouldn’t wear on a dress-down Friday in your office.”

What’s the skating community like?

“Honestly, it’s just so amazing to be part of the community right now. There’s so much going on and everyone is so warm and there’s a real inclusive vibe. There are so many events being organised and you bump into people again and again and that’s how it grows. But you know, there should be more supports for roller skating. We need more spaces to skate. Sometimes people frown on us or think we’re doing something wrong, which couldn’t be further from the truth. We’re doing something positive and we’re creating a scene for people to meet each other, have fun, and, most importantly, stay healthy in body and mind.”

What would you say to people interested in trying roller skating?

“That’s easy. Get your skates on. Just get your skates on. Put them on. Go to the park. Be around people. Get some pads if you need them, and all you’ve got to do is ‘roll on.’”

Follow Tre on Instagram here.

Photography by James Anthony Parker

Film Credits

• Starring: Rue Ann Paisley and Tre Skywalker

• Directed by: Razvan Pestean

• Interview & Written by: Matt Walsh

• Executive Producer: Derrick T. Kakembo

• Director Of Photography: Azikiwe Udenze

• Art Director: Joweria Kagwa

• Edited by: Roland Bakos

• Colourist: Vlad Barin

• Sound Design: Michalis Anthis & Laurence Whatley

• Camera Rental: Shoot Blue

• Production: Reform The Funk