ROOTS MOVIE “Lords of Dogtown”

"A" LABEL: a feature where APPLEBUM staff delve into things, events, and products they wholeheartedly recommend.

This time, staff member Saito introduces his recommended movie.


Movies, like fashion and music, are a crucial cultural element that has shaped our sensibilities.

We hope you can get a glimpse of our staff's personalities and values through their "favorite movie," which holds their origins and memories.


Staff Saito's recommendation is "Lords of Dogtown."
Its fashion and spirit still resonate today.
This is a selection typical of Saito, chosen from that perspective.

■ Q1｜Why did you choose this movie?

It's not just about learning the roots of skate culture;
I was strongly drawn to the passion unique to youth and the real relationships among friends. It's raw yet pure, with a somewhat dangerous atmosphere.
It's a movie that influenced my sensibilities, including music, fashion, and spirituality.

■ Q2｜What do you like about it?

Friendship, setbacks, success, and misunderstandings.
The struggles of each character are realistically portrayed, and every time I watch it, it reminds me of "that feeling from back then" and makes me a little wistful.
I think the charm of this movie is that it doesn't just show moments of success but also the bittersweetness of life when things don't go well.

And another essential aspect is Heath Ledger's presence.
His unique aura and casual fashion create an incredibly great vibe – it's the best!


■ Q3｜When would you recommend it?

It's great for when you want to boost your mood, but also when you want to start something new or reset your feelings a bit.

More than anything, the visuals and atmosphere are so cool that you don't even need to follow the story to appreciate it.
I often have it playing in the background while I work at home, haha.



■ Q4｜How has this movie influenced you?

First, the fashion.
It's casual and rugged, but each character has a distinct style.
The longing for that "cool without trying" balance is still a core part of my style today.

And the "rebellious spirit" that underlies street culture.
It flows strongly through this movie, and it resonates with the fundamental principles of APPLEBUM, where I work now.
That's why this film, more than any other, aligns with my stance and values.




■ Q5｜How would you describe this movie in one word?

The beauty of charging forward, imperfectly.
It's not about someone else's "right answer," but about forging your own path.
It's clumsy, yet utterly real and relevant to every era.
That's why it remains a timeless masterpiece even today.

■ Lastly

As an aside, the film that comes to mind as my next favorite after this one is "Into the Wild."
I later realized that Emile Hirsch starred in both, and the coincidence made me chuckle a bit.
One is a story of establishing oneself within a group and culture, and the other is a journey of confronting oneself away from society.
Although the approaches differ, both are united by depicting "the process of finding one's way of life," and I've realized that both have become cherished films for me.

If you want to start something new or need a gentle push,
I think these two films will resonate with you during this season.

Please enjoy them on a long spring evening.