“It only took a few seconds of imbalance and then I woke up with my shoulder dislocated.” – Ishtar Backlund
What is it about Scandinavia that makes the region suitable for producing such gnarly individuals? There’s the harsh yet postcard-beautiful landscape. There are the people’s seemingly superior genes, exclusively generating tall, blonde and blue-eyed superhumans. And then there’s the rich history of the Vikings – a ruthless group of pillaging seafarers, dubbed “noble savages.” The region is like a breeding ground for lofty athleticism and mythical beauty.
Enter Swedish-born skater Ishtar Bäcklund. As a pioneer of women’s downhill skateboarding, she’s one of the finest females you’ll see on four wheels. And in her latest edit, Bäcklund and a group of friends take to the unfathomably gorgeous hills of their native Scandinavia. These chicks handle the steep, windy hills with ease and bravery. And the ladies’ calm under duress is matched by the short film’s atmospheric score, courtesy of Swedish band Tussilago.
