BMX champ’s story moves up a gear in film

Ride shows how former Dundee pupil rose above adversity

A major Hollywood film starring Fast and Furious star Ludacris is to have its UK premiere in Dundee.

Ride, the true story of world BMX champion John Buultjens, will be shown at Dundee Contemporary Arts in December.

John, who spent his late teens living in Dundee after moving to the city with his foster parents Eldridge and Marianna, said having the screening at DCA held a special significance for him.

Before it was converted into the award winning arts centre, the DCA building was a derelict factory used by BMX riders in the city as space to ride their bikes and build their ramps.

The old factory will even feature in the film itself, during the closing credits.

The California-based BMX brand manager was born into an abusive family, where he was regularly beaten by his biological father – played by John in the film. One of John’s earliest memories is of the man who was supposed to be his dad throwing him into an open fire. He was adopted by the Buultjens family and went to Harris Academy, where he developed his passion for BMX.

After a chance meeting with Hollywood producer Ali Afshar, John found himself in a whirlwind-like scenario where he was on a film set, reading a script based on his story.

He said: “On the morning of the premiere I will be doing a talk at Harris Academy, inspiring the young pupils that the world is theirs and they can be anything they want to be.”

The red carpet will be rolled out for the sold-out premiere on Friday December 21. John has also written a book, which was released last year.