It has been 25 years since Menikmati first came out, and its influence is still felt in skateboarding today.
Professional photographer/videographer Fred Mortagne, known as French Fred, looks back at the project with pride and amazement.
What began as a personal vision turned into a piece of skateboarding history that still inspires riders and fans alike.
The video captured the creativity and style of some of the most talented skateboarders of that time. Fred focused on giving every skater the space to show their best work, making sure the final video reflected the effort and individuality of the whole team.
Fred and the crew dedicated themselves to crafting something that would last. That attention to detail is part of why the video continues to resonate with people today.
Fred often talks about the teamwork that made the project possible.
It was not just about skating, it was about everyone contributing their skills, trying new ideas, and trusting each other. The collaboration made Menikmati stand out and gave it a timeless quality.
Looking back, Fred is proud of how the project shaped his career and the skateboarding community.
Watching it again after all these years gives him a new perspective on the creativity and effort that went into every frame. The video remains a symbol of dedication, talent, and the joy of skating.
Menikmati is worth revisiting for anyone interested in the golden era of street skateboarding.
French Fred Posted:
"MENIKMATI - 25 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
It’s crazy like! Yeah the video came out 25 years ago. It was premiered in Los Angeles at the Showcase theatre on November 3rd 2000.
Huge respect to the legends @artofoto @ronniecreager
@rodrigotx @tompenny @bobburnquist
@erickoston who all simply killed it. What a dream team!
What carried it through was obsession. The determination to make the best video possible. To craft the strongest part for every single rider. To push @esskateboarding beyond where it had ever been. To complete the mission—not halfway, not safely, but at the absolute highest level I could reach.
That focus gave the project its direction, but the video exists because of the dedication and truly innovative skateboarding of the entire team.
The fact that the video continues to receive the same love and respect today is truly humbling—and honestly, kind of unreal.
Huge thanks to @don_brown and @pierreandresenizergues for trusting the young french man that I was, putting me in command of the project, which changed my life for ever.
Big props to @beer_run who learned using After Effects for creating the graphic animations, and @huptur who made me discover most of the music used in the video, through his hundreds of CD’s that I checked one by one! And special thoughts for Sasha Steinhorst, Tony Evjenth and Mark Waters RIP all 3.
Thank you to all the filmers and to everyone who contributed to the video in a way or another.
Finally, big thanks to @chase_gabor and @storiedskateboarding for celebrating the video with a all-new documentary bringing some of the stories behind Menikmati.
Believe it or not, I learned some stuff while watching it! It also gave me the opportunity to see it from a different perspective. Back then we knew that we made something very special, but I realize it even more now, and I’m more proud than ever about Menikmati.
Follow the link in my bio to watch it.
Then go watch Menikmati again!
Enjoy!
"