https://www.kunstform.org/

"I'm Not Going To Jail For A Feeble To Smith"

Behind The Scenes With VANS Unfiltered in UAE

3 May 2018

Vans Unfiltered Abu Dhabi Alex Vaeltino Moto 2

Riding Photos by Eisa Bakos: Snapshots by Alex Valentino

It's so easy to follow the well-trodden path of BMX - Barcelona, Austin or LA, it's all been done countless times before. That doesn't mean it isn't fun though, it's just not as interesting as flying to the middle-east and attempting to ride bikes on pristine marble and gold encased buildings. For the third instalment of the VANS Unfiltered series Frenchmen Matthias Dandois and Alex Valentino donned the Keffiyeh and got busy avoiding security and the risk of jail in the United Arab Emirates. Here's some details... 

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing
Vans Unfiltered Dubai Matthias Dandois Seq Skyline

MATTHIAS DANDOIS

What were your initial impressions of the UAE upon first arriving?

The first day was kind of a nightmare riding wise. We didn’t really plan anything and just cruised around like we would do in any cities. We shortly found out that the country is not bike friendly at all and it was pretty sketchy to ride around. We tried to ride a couple spots but security came up after two minutes. We thought we wouldn’t be able to film anything the rest of the trip. Culture wise, it was kind of a shock especially Abu Dhabi. You’re not allowed to make out with a girl at the bar, which was my main concern haha. 

How did those impressions change as the trip came to an end?

I did end up making out with a chick at the bar. Happy ending! No, seriously you just have to adapt and embrace the culture of the country you’re in. The food was amazing, the people are cool for the most part and we ended up riding some dope spots. I think the fact that it was such a sick crew (Alex, Bakos and Rich) made the trip super fun and a good memory. 

How was it with security? Was it difficult to ride spots?

There is literally more security than regular people in this country! And so many fucking rules! They made it so hard for us to ride. At one point, Bakos was just taking photos of some building and security asked him to delete the picture and leave. Just to make a point. Also we were pretty scared they’d call the cops on us cause we heard you can end up in jail pretty easily. That would have sucked. That’s why there isn’t any peg clips in the video. We found some sick ass ledges but fuck going to jail for a feeble to smith... To sum it up, don’t go to the UAE if you're going to take 500 tries for a clip. 

As for flat it looks like you had some perfect places to ride with epic backdrops. What was the reaction of the locals?

It’s true that some of the flat spots were amazing! I love to ride in exotic places! It’s always fun to show the locals what you do, for most of them it’s the first time watching Flatland, and they were really into it. I love it cause it’s such a simple and fast way to connect with the locals. You instantly become friends and can have a cool interaction.

Would you say the UAE is a realistic destinations for riders?

Honestly, no. Unless you have authorisation for every street spot you shoot at. Like they did in the “We Are Blood” video. Then it’s realistic. They have some really cool looking spots though.  

Vans Unfiltered Dubai Matthias Water Bw Copy

"We found some sick ass ledges but fuck going to jail for a feeble to smith..." - Matthias Dandois

How was it filming with Rich Forne? How does the process differ compared to other filmers?

It was my first time spending time with Rich and actually filming with him. He’s one of my favorite filmers and most importantly one of my favorite riders. I think the fact he’s so good at riding BMX makes him a genius filmer. He’s not scared to get really close to you while filming. In my opinion he’s the best fisheye filmer in the world. I don’t think there was any difference compared to working with any other filmer. I was just stoked on the opportunity to film with him cause he makes everything look so good! 

Three things you loved about the UAE?

-Perfect weather everyday

-Good food

-Untouched spots 

Three things you didn’t like?

-Security

-Too many rules

-Traffic is a nightmare 

If you could give one piece of advice for someone visiting UAE, what would it be.

Don’t make out with a girl at the bar. 

Related Video

Vans Presents UNFILTERED - UAE

Featuring Alex Valentino and Matthias Dandois - More Info

  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm008 28
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm015 21
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm000 36
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm001 35
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm002 34
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm003 33
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm004 32
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm005 31
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm006 30
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm007 29
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm009 27
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm012 24
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm014 22
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm016 20 Copie
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm016 20
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm017 19
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm019 17 Copie
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm019 17
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm020 16
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm026 10
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm030 6
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm031 5
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Imm034 2
  • Vans Unfiltered Abu By Av Mm035 1

of 24

ALEX VALENTINO

What were your initial impressions of the UAE upon first arriving?

We landed in Dubai and I remember thinking that it looks like they trying to do everything but bigger, and to be honest I had bad preconceptions about UAE. I like the outfits and the gold though. I’m confused.

How did those impressions change as the trip came to an end?

I really enjoyed the trip, we had a really good time together going on spot missions in UAE. I will remember this trip as a really good experience, however I would not recommend the country.

How was it with security? Was it difficult to ride spots?

It was really difficult in Dubai because we didn’t realize that we needed authorisation if we wanted to ride a spot, so it was a bit scary sometimes as we didn’t know what could happen to us if we got arrested. Things went way easier for me when I started to wear the Keffiyeh to ride and Abu Dhabi was more relaxed.

Vans Unfiltered Abu Dhabi Alex Valentino Table

"I had bad preconceptions about UAE. I like the outfits and the gold though. I’m confused." - Alex Valentino

Would you say the UAE is a realistic destinations for riders?

I don’t think so, I’m really glad that we were able to comeback with footage and photos without any trouble, but I really enjoyed riding my bike over there - it was difficult and the risk to ride was high.

How was it filming with Rich? How does the process differ compared to other filmers?

I loved it and I looking forward to doing something else with him. On the spot he is organised and quick and the end result is always splendid.

Three things you loved about the UAE?

I loved the the Sunset on the Cheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi, the gold market in the old town of Dubai and the outfits.

Three things you didn’t like?

I didn’t liked how fake a lot of things are in UAE.

Vans Unfiltred Abu Dhabi Alex Valentino Handplant 180

Next

Creating Subculture - An Interview With Veesh

The Story Behind CULT's New AM Series

Related Content

2018 Vans Bmx Pro Cup Series Australia Teaser
Play Button

2018 Vans BMX Pro Cup Series - Australia Teaser

At the infamous Five Dock Skatepark - April 27th-28th

10 Apr 2018
Vans Unfiltered Morocco
Play Button

Vans - Unfiltered - Bruno Hoffmann & Alex Donnachie In Morocco

Two of the most technical riders alive doing their thing in Africa

21 Dec 2017
Vans Private Park Session
Play Button

Heavy Session At New Vans Private Park

Dakota Roche, Bruno Hoffmann, Kilian Roth, Gary Young, Dan Lacey, Andrew Castaneda, and Anthony Perrin

14 Apr 2018
Easter Street Sesh
Play Button

KSHZLE Street Session 2018

Champagne and Peg Grinds

10 Apr 2018
The 100 Foot Flat Rail Jam
Play Button

THE 100 FOOT FLAT RAIL JAM

This was actually really sick, so many pros

19 Apr 2018
Trey Jones Shirt
Play Button

Win A Trey Jones Setup

Something For Nothing

18 Apr 2018
Unfiltered Uae
Play Button

Vans Presents UNFILTERED - UAE

Featuring Alex Valentino and Matthias Dandois

29 Mar 2018
Garrett Sydney
Play Button

Fiending Sydney with Garrett Reynolds - Behind The Scenes

Interviews, Extra Clips and More

5 Apr 2018
Sessionatlas
Play Button

Session Atlas - Introduction

A New Tool For Finding A Sesh

9 Apr 2018
https://harobikes.com/collections/bmx

Latest Content

O87c ja sn Ihqdefault
Play Button

ALEX KENNEDY - PROJECT Xtras

"That pop!"

8 Oct 2025
P Ugc5d Ew U3 Ehqdefault
Play Button

MOTO-TOUR ISSUE 02

UNDER 13 TAIWAN TOUR

8 Oct 2025
WSXC1 AE Nbkhqdefault
Play Button

WAR PARTY - WE OUTSIDE BABY

Renato Rancso, Boyd Hilder, and Raph Jeroma-Williams

8 Oct 2025
0ls M Aewc Qghqdefault
Play Button

Junior Cunha - Brazilian Frequency

His third Subrosa / Shadow video

8 Oct 2025
O YAL9 Zi LA0 Yhqdefault
Play Button

BOYD HILDER - JETLAG UNPLUGGED

Unseen Hilder

6 Oct 2025
O M9z YI0js W Mhqdefault
Play Button
0n0nssvm A Uohqdefault
Play Button

MIKI FLECK 'ELECTRIC ZUIN'

240v on those spots

3 Oct 2025
B7 Cl Ny w Dbchqdefault
Play Button

LISMORE ROAD TRIPPIN'

NOTHING BEATS A ROAD TRIP!

3 Oct 2025
K7lg 7k5yl4hqdefault
Play Button

Vans x Odyssey Anniversary Collection 2025

"In honor of their 40-Year Anniversary, Odyssey have partnered with Vans on a new limited-edition collection"

2 Oct 2025
13 J4 Ao Oc Akghqdefault
Play Button
Overtime Thumbnail Colour v2 copy
Play Button

OVERTIME

Ft. Chad Ferch, Kent Fuller, Matt Perrin & More

1 Oct 2025
NSA08 Ouah Zghqdefault
Play Button

Shred BMX - Think Different

Perspectives from the Cleveland scene

30 Sep 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025