Automobilen: Det Övergivna Skatemonumentet

There has been a boom in the documentary format of recent. Sadly, as often with massively increased output, quality has been an issue. Not only has quality suffered but, probably due to pressure from the streaming corporations, "information density". "Stuff" that either should have been scrapped at the drawing board or, at the very least, confined to one brief episode - is stretched way beyond the point of boredom.

Automobilen stands out like an oasis in the current documentary wasteland and hits the documentary sweetspot. It covers a genuinely interesting topic at the required pace.

WHAT is of historical interest and WHO decides what constitutes our cultural heritage? Automobilen argues the "historical value" of an old skate park - and does so very well. It also, subtly, raises the question on a grander scale - the "what and who". And with that comes an itch; is it only the grand and pompous that is protected by default, are those in charge blind to the more subtle parts of our cultural heritage - and if so, is there more stuff we need to champion for their survival?

Automobilen is a tasty morsel, well and truly worth watching.