Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator (R)

synopsis

The aggressive style of Mark "Gator" Rogowski (a.k.a. Gator Mark Anthony)--his unpredictable lines, and outrageous personal antics--made him a favorite on the 80's pro skateboarding circuit, and for years he rode a career wave of fame, wealth, and world travel. At the end of the decade Gator found himself with personal and career troubles, and tried to reinvent himself with a name change, new sponsor, born-again Christianity, and a split from his longtime girlfriend. No one knew how bad his mental state had slipped, until in the spring of 1991, when--at the age of 24--he confessed to the murder of a 20-year old girl known well by many in the skateboard scene. Gator is now serving 31 to life in prison for rape and murder. This chronicle is the result of six years of persistence and investigation, the film is really about how the commercialization of a once authentic youth culture curdled the fortunes--and psyche--of its first golden boy.