FreestyleXtreme Magazine Issue 15 | Page 36

“

For me, it doesn’t
matter whether this
film can sell or not - I
strongly believe that
this is an emotionally
stirring film for
everyone who sees it
- director Hitoshi Kajino

I was really glad that all the
international riders showed up for
the session - I think they showed up
because of Eigo’s loving and warm
character. I didn’t know how it would
play out until we got going on site
but a higher-than-expected number
of talented riders showed up for the
session. I didn’t imagine that I would
be able to meet a legend like Larry
Linkogle in person, never mind get
footage of him. Many riders talked
about their great memories of Eigo,

36 | FreestyleXtreme.com

which helped flesh out the story in a
much truer documentary form, without
requiring a written script.
After we wrapped up the shooting, we
had a party at Taka’s house, which you
can see in the film. You can ignore the
director (me), who is weeping like a
little girl though.
Ordinarily at a party like that Eigo
would have been with us. I wanted
to share my excitement with Eigo like
we did after the Red Bull X-Fighters
in Osaka - but the reality was very
different.
After returning to Japan we set to
work translating the interviews (with
help from my translator Ken Bhatt)
and moved to post-production of
the film. I was moved every time
we did a preview. For me, it doesn’t
matter whether this film can sell or
not - I strongly believe that this is an
emotionally stirring film for everyone
who sees it. It was a great weight off
my shoulders when we had the final
reel in the can.

But I couldn’t rest yet, and I still had to
coordinate the distribution, promotion,
and many other things. On the first
anniversary of Eigo’s passing, we did
a pre-release screening of the film at
Iwaki Alios.
This film was my debut as a film
director and it was made with and for
the people who loved Eigo Sato. I just
set a path, giving the opportunity for
others to join in. Eigo and his fellow
riders had devoted themselves to
building up the Japanese FMX scene,
so the least I could do was to pour my
appreciation (as very much a part of
that scene) into RIDE FOR LIFE.
I would like to thank everyone who
was involved in the film’s production.
I hope it will reach as many people
as possible - and that viewers get an
insight into the FMX community and a
chance to see who Eigo Sato was and
what he lived for. T
'RIDE FOR LIFE - The Eigo Sato Story’
is available on DVD and streaming
online.

© JOERG MITTER/RED BULL CONTENT POOL

I also wanted to invite legendary
cameraman Jay Schweitzer - who
made the “On The Pipe” series - onto
the project. I always got really good
vibes from his films and he is the living
dictionary of “Moto XXX”. His mentor
is the legendary producer Mack
Dawg (Mike McEntire), leader of Mack
Dawg Production (who set the gold
standard for snowboarding films). It
was a really great experience to work
with a cameraman who learnt from a
filmmaker that was such an inspiration
to me.