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Jesus Can’t Skate (Documentary)
aussieSKATES: Figure Skating Downunder, October 2006

“Skating saved me.”

Athlete. Author. Auteur. World roller skating champion, Jayson Sutcliffe, has triumphed again with his latest endevour, the obliquely-named documentary, Jesus Can’t Skate.

One could offer the alternative, “Full Circle”, as it maps Jayson’s quartercentury love for this most fascinating of sports, and that passionate enthusiam he is passing onto the next generation.

At 90 minutes in length, the story’s main focus tells of Jayson’s and fellow Australian champion, Tammy Bryant’s, final fling at a world title. Having both conquered traditional quad skating (each won the world artistic crown in the same year, 1995), they arrive in Rome with a new mission, to take the individual
men’s and ladies’ in-line championships.

Along the way Jayson reveals why a sport with little national support or recognition, has kept him hooked. It’s not about gaining Olympic inclusion (although this film will surely create waves to change that), money or fame. What drives Sutcliffe is the process.

To be the best you can; to push yourself as far as your mind and body will allow. Jayson highlights this message with a brilliantly conceived parallel. We watch, enthralled as superstar risk-takers from Italy, Japan, the United States and Argentina fearlessly fly-high (and I might add, tumble with the best of them!)

Their achievements are underscored by the inclusion of local siblings, Eden and Tenielle Jury. It’s almost like seeing a child take its first steps, seeing both in joyous shock as they each land the difficult axel jump. Tenielle’s reaction is worth the price of admission alone.

Jesus Can’t Skate contains so many stories, the movie is about much more than roller skating.

It is a language that crosses social and cultural barriers, celebrating the people, personal sacrifices and love shared on wheels.

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