Minding the Gap

This documentary focuses on three young men from Rockford, Illinois, who form a close bond to cope with unstable home lives in their industrial hometown. As they transition into adulthood and face new responsibilities, their ten-year friendship is tested by unexpected revelations. The story is told through a combination of archival footage, interviews, and skateboarding scenes, exploring the challenges of growing up and the impact of social injustice.

The film was directed by Liu Bing, who also appears in the cast alongside Keire Johnson, Zack Mulligan, Nina Bowgren, and Mengyue Bolen. Produced by Liu Bing and Diane Moy Quon, the project was a collaboration between ITVS, Kartemquin Films, and P.O.V./American Documentary. Within the director's career, this 2018 release precedes his 2025 work, Preparation for the Next Life.

The movie was well received by both audiences and critics. It holds an 8/10 rating on IMDb based on 11,000 votes and a 7.7/10 rating on TMDB from 205 votes. Film critics gave the documentary a slightly higher score of 8.7/10 based on 130 reviews.