Illegal Civilization - "Summer of '17" - Episode 1 (Short Film)

For many young people, summer in the suburbs is its own little universe. During this precious chunk of time off from school, adults are often out of sight, even further out of mind, and friends become the most important people on the planet. As you skate, swim, or chill through the days, there’s the opportunity of getting to know your pals - and yourself - better than ever.
That’s the journey Summer ’17, a new short film by Illegal Civilization and The FADER, captures. Shot on location in North Hollywood and Burbank, California, Summer ’17 follows Jeffery, played by Ryder McLaughlin, as he tries to win over a summer crush.
Produced by Malcolm Washington, directed by Illegal Civ’s Mikey Alfred, and shot by Ayinde Anderson, the film had a lot of young, black creatives who worked behind the lens to bring this film to life.
Featuring cameos from Civ friends like Tyler, the Creator, and Aminé, every scene takes place across the IRL teen hangouts of Alfred’s youth. It’s the skate brand and film crew’s biggest production to date. It beautifully captures the simultaneous “WTF” internal turmoil and heart-fluttering magic of growing up and figuring your shit out. Watch Summer ’17 above.
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The FADER Presents
an Illegal Civ Cinema Production
Filmed on location in North Hollywood
Post sound mix: Ian Napoleon Evans
Original Music by: Irv “Pasque” Mejia
Production Assistants: Samuel McIntosh, Viviaan Ramirez
Casting by: Kasey Elise, Mikey Alfred, Dan Bernstein, Alondra Buccio
Graphics by: Matthew Torres
1st AC: Anthony Goodman
2nd AC: Lyle Mouton
Line Producer: Jonathan Paltin
Story by: Mikey Alfred, Nico Hiraga, Aramis Hudson
Written by: Nicole Levin
Associate Producers: Rachel Day, Nick Dierl
Audio mixer: Chris Robleto-Harvey
Assistant Director: Eddie Luchemebe
Executive Producer: Rob Semmer
Produced by: Malcolm Washington
Director of Photography: Ayinde Anderson
Directed by: Mikey Alfred
Ryder McLaughlin as Jeffery
Gabriella Quezada as Alana
Nico Hiraga as Paul
Aramis Hudson as Tony
Stephanie Kerbis as Casey
Johnathan Ressum as Sunny
Aschen Hudson as himself
Kevin White as himself
Gary Rogers as himself
EXTRAS
Black Mike
Mikey Palma
Kasey Elise
Davonte Jolly
Sunny Suljic
Tyler, the Creator
Aminé
Jasper
Lester Singleton
Wheels
Chrystal Tillman
Samantha Nirenberg
Eliza Gold
Special Thanks to
Stray Angel Films
The FADER
Illegal Civ Cinema
Baker Boys Distribution
Silver Lining Entertainment
MUSIC
“I Wonder Why”
Written by Melvin Anderson and Ricardo D. Weeks
Performed by Dion & The Belmonts
Courtesy of Capitol Records under license from Universal Enterprises
“Provider”
Performed by Frank Ocean
“You Got Me”
Performed by Omar Apollo
“Chronic Sunshine”
Performed by Cosmo Pyke
“Alana”
Performed by Irvin Mejia
Original song composed for the film

[@glodbuddha4691]

50% of this was just straight up people shaking hands

[@flamemojis]

GLOD BUDDHA life

[@00cryptic38]

And it was dope

[@veldt7038]

every party people be doing their rounds lmaoo

[@3DCyberNinja]

50% of skater's lives are handshakes, can confirm

[@ickylark5354]

lol i was about to say exactly the same thing. they do it so well though

[@karringtoncummings3044]

Why does Casey look like a 30-year-old mother

[@chief6078]

my dudes into older women

[@Emily-ny6qy]

ik why am i jealous of a 30 year old mother

[@ksubi3173]

she was like 25 at the time of filming this x_x

[@zleepydude224]

30 year old mother wit’ a big ass donk

[@istoleyourjams4048]

she looks like my homeroom teacher

[@understandingacarcrash_fm]

The girl from the thrift store is wayyy cooler than Cassie Edit: thanks for all the likes dudes haha.

[@TC-nb9yi]

Reuben Bueno nigga cassie is dummy thick wym

[@fullmetalgrave]

TC 1836 nigga but she looks like a biology teacher

[@User-rh2mw]

How could anyone find cassie attractive over the cashier

[@D.Martyr]

cassie looks like she's in her mid 20s

[@murdaman33zz9seven7]

@@User-rh2mw I'm saying.

[@billiamlongbottom5542]

something about this makes me miss something i haven’t experienced yet

[@rileyclarke8784]

no lmao this was so bad😭

[@probabyjesus6786]

🫡

[@virtuaspeedone]

Tyler the creator is getting old man he looked wired around teenagers lmao

[@nemo2327]

STYLO SNAPS just a cameo but fr lol

[@klanapex._5318]

bro he looks directly at the camera

[@josianmelendez7188]

Cause he’s the fucking creator . OG

[@smokekey3846]

Ig u could say that theyre tooo fuckin young

[@amberneal5362]

He’s still in his 20s tf lol the people he’s around look literally 14 of course he looks older in comparison.

[@jacob7045]

i just wish life was really like this

[@alexgratzaTV]

Jacob it is

[@devenksb8773]

lmaoo, it is tf

[@seniorhighboston8592]

Not when ur on the east coast man

[@Harry-qe6lx]

Sauna Boy where tf do you live haha my life boring as shit

[@mayashanice853]

@@johnnygilling so true. I live in a rural part of New England and i'm homeschooled. Nothing to see but trees. My life is beyond boring.

[@mercyktv45]

i love how tyler the creator and anime were just casually in the first couple seconds 💓

[@_PuppetMaster86]

*Aminé

[@JesusChrist-gz2tr]

did you just call him anime bro

[@mercyktv45]

IT WAS A TYPO JEEZ😹😹

[@jackwyatt9886]

and jasper

[@L3thalShad0ws7]

This started off great but I got confused once he left the party. Like the girl he barely met, left him a note with her address, and then when he shows up, all of a sudden they’re together?

[@kai-ho8tg]

they might have been friends before?

[@rileyclarke8784]

this whole thing is so lacking in content and feels SO awkward

[@MaseLifts]

i think we supposed to assume they knew each other before the store bc she seemed like she knew them but it should’ve been established i think

[@marvies]

ryder into the THICCies

[@felix5044]

idk why this was fire....that asian and black kid should be leads together in a movie

[@johntylersounds]

Felix this actually is a great idea I hope Mikey sees this

[@Dragon228833]

Felix rush hour

[@evan9759]

Haha that white kid got a lead in mid90s

[@UnderPaidWizard]

@@evan9759 barely

[@Lieutenaantdan]

@@Dragon228833 Hell Yeah!

[@iluvthecolorsage2785]

Before I started the video I looked at the comments and saw a lot about Cassie and I thought she would look really pretty but she looks like a mom😐

[@iluvthecolorsage2785]

Navi Blue Not even

[@Emily-ny6qy]

right like she looks like she could be ryders mom😐

[@mewd7742]

A thick mom

[@kailaliak]

i thought u were just being mean, by u weren’t lying 😭

[@jaden3602]

I feel like im watching a instagram version of “kids.”

[@zoegraziella5431]

Jaden minus the hiv

[@seemeontheeast4939]

I’m waiting for the kids that liked north Hollywood to find this classic

[@truereligionfiend738]

Fax

[@bvcoyle3903]

Yeah fax I like illegal civ but this and North Hollywood were pretty trash

[@sly9812]

Eyy I found it

[@StevenM801]

was that movie released yet?? I hadnt seen anything on it but trailers..

[@dragonflyskateboards]

This feels like it actually happened at one point, this video is so genuine and has beautiful frames 10/10

[@TheEmeraldBeast135]

i kinda agree but bruh the story is as spicy as salt.

[@gabrielletavarez4005]

bruh i saw tyler and nearly had a damn heart attack

[@ADAMJDF]

same

[@kimora69]

heard his loud ahh too 😂😂

[@mya.3372]

weird

[@rileyclarke8784]

he made a song about people like u

[@terence3698]

@@rileyclarke8784 😂

[@LiteBlocks]

The girl from the thrift shop was way better looking than cassie tbh

[@Larbioca]

2000 Subscribers With 0 Videos? Noooo cap

[@3ki3ra3]

100%

[@johncahill1985]

The other girl looked like a 30 year old mom

[@nicholassmith5489]

Cassie had them tatas

[@kanyewestlover7645]

She had the dump truck

[@serenitylucas1835]

WhOs watching this in 2020 during corona

[@dre1492]

Nah dawg 2021

[@gracerasmussen8312]

@@dre1492 fr man😪😪

[@poser9042]

casey thick af

[@Prezzihoe]

poser swear

[@gatorcurt9722]

poser said the same thing

[@Klagetemann]

low standards u got there she ugly af

[@HistoryFeeds]

Zambo Lika You are blind

[@jquitplayin7941]

What her full name?

[@int3rlud3.]

the acting was so authentic. with the right camera frames, aesthetics, & better storytelling, this would make a bomb ass A-24 film. i fw this

[@noise6327]

North Hollywood is kinda a take off this. A24 ish vibes

[@ultra4190]

man looking this in 2020 makes me miss 2016-2017. especially with corona virus popping off

[@geo_0429]

Fr tho

[@avacampbell9345]

bruh facts

[@eonprime8538]

i agree, i got CABIN fever bro

[@gretahenry1729]

This was visually beautiful i love how Mikey directs his shit so perfectly

[@maggiegoldman680]

YESS I REWATCHED THIS SO MANY TIMES

[@gretahenry1729]

Maggie Goldman The colors and music and how simple but beautiful the story is ahhhhh

[@grady.713]

700k

[@kai-ho8tg]

girl: *washes hands* ryder: "stawp"

[@meganh7065]

kai bruh this made me laugh so hard hehehhd thanku

[@markross6785]

How the hell is that t shirt $1, I can't think of any store that sells reasonable priced t-shirts

[@mirkancamur9481]

Its a thriftstore

[@fairoadiary]

A thrift store does

[@ava6204]

bruh fr

[@janaethomas1163]

it was a thrift store and it was like a plain white teeshirt

[@chas5930]

Why is Tyler on the roof at 3:16

[@ChadEditorZ]

he just felt like doing it

[@jasonpost677]

Chas mans is funny af

[@flackokay2847]

Loo wish he had a real part lol i wana see tyler in a movie so bad

[@slappy1312]

that‘s just something tyler does

[@syahmirga]

LMFAOOO

[@perhaps1094]

This was visually appealing but the story and acting left a lot to be desired

[@fairoadiary]

Acting was good but the story... meh

[@avalea5598]

nico is so fine on god

[@legitsmitty]

Watching this again after seeing mid90s....odddd resemblance. I feel like Mikey should’ve gotten more credit for mid90s

[@thanksskateart3462]

for sure.

[@qprodigal7032]

agreed because i didnt even peep he was a hue driving force behind that movie until i watched Godspeed

[@footballfrk91]

The girl in the store was mad pretty

[@Dyl6n]

wish it was a bit longer, still great tho.

[@unspokenjo9490]

i love the black indie vibe.. that steve lacy cosmo pyke but *im still black vibe* . you know what i mean

[@lukesutherland7506]

“ I felt like he was disrespecting u, so I had to get your back” real homie shit 5:13

[@chaoticfirearm]

I appreciate the simplicity of the story. It makes it feel incredibly real. Besides that, there is some seriously beautiful cinematography and scene-composition going on in this.

[@magista222]

3 years later n i’m back. why did no one ever mention the way he straight up drank the tea or wtvr from the coffee table. weird asf.

[@finnjohnn3k]

haha nico was just himself in this one.

[@gabevelez694]

You can definitely see this short films influence on mid90’s

[@davisdavis468]

@@irasaturday thats literally what theyre saying dumb fuck

[@bigbootybenny16]

I think fourth grade from mid 90s is in this idk

[@fettywapsmissingeye]

@@bigbootybenny16 and sunburn too

[@Triquezz]

a film doesn't need a strong plot to be a great ass film. the fucking nostalgia this brought me man, from the colors to the random conversations and shots of people just being. everything was captured so fucking well, shouts out to mikey

[@oliviaprado1223]

this has been my comfort movie for the past 4 years, it reminds me of a time things felt more simple

[@itsmee6104]

The music in the beginning 😩👌🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@howardking8015]

Dion & The Belmonts - I wonder why

[@urth2karla]

They made this short story so realistic, teenagers actually act like this, nothing feels forced which is their biggest strength but also weakness bc real life is boring. Still a cool short story tho

[@yourlocalavocado2948]

ok i didnt really get what this was about and still have a few questions about it but i can reaaally relate to the main character. his friends are like super charismatic and open and get along with anyone anytime. he, on the other side is like shy-ish (meaning not that open) and just awkward around new people which makes him seem unlikeable or cold to others. maybe he is but i'm interpreting myself in him here. although i'd love to be as chill and open as his friends are i find it kinda hard to be such a person and i dont know why. it just seems so easy for them to be open and therefore liked. i try so hard everytime i meet new people but i cant help acting like the blond dude here which makes me seem weird.. idk why im putting this out here even though its like really personal but no ones gonna read it anyways and this is anonymous sooo.. yeah theres that.

[@monaee1815]

honestly same, then people think im weird and they don't like me when i don't have anything against them... im just shy :(

[@yourlocalavocado2948]

@@monaee1815 yeah i know exactly how u feel.. :/

[@miarose9233]

Butter Bienchen same

[@brandondavis233]

Bro definitely been there before your not the only one that’s like that 💯💯👌🏾

[@shreyt9850]

COSMO PYKE !!!!!!! YOO WTF

[@somebody8466]

Shrey T ikkk they music fire

[@st0rsaeter]

That was so crazy, hearing that, omfg

[@rashaadroberts10]

WOAH THERE isn’t cosmo one person ?

[@somebody8466]

souper bill kind of Cosmo is the lead singer and then the rest is just a band

[@heaven5ent.z288]

YOO SAME WTHH

[@DatboiT00]

When i heard that provider by frank ocean, my mood instantly went up

[@modupeokunaya3380]

I’m a simple person I see Tyler and amine in the same film and already LOVE IT 😂😂

[@sierramistsecretbuilders2324]

this was my euphoria

[@DominationOC]

why casey look like Lucas from Odd Future?

[@BigahhTex]

The Mavericks ikr but Lucas lost his blonde hair :(

[@xooljay]

Ace Lucas a brown hair Supreme LA employee/team member now

[@BigahhTex]

PBJesse14 Ik dood I saw him at the stor

[@gabrielletavarez4005]

i was gonna say the same

[@logandickerson1122]

I only comment while I’m on the shitter lmaooo fart box 🤣

[@sadnigga1917]

Tyler the type of nigga to be chillin the roof at 3:15

[@SkateKage]

8:50 frank ocean 🤧🖤

[@belllaswab]

which song is it

[@skizama]

Isabella Swarbrick provider

[@gauchequizon]

This film is beautifully captured as it has similar ties to the film "Summer of 42." Both are similar because the protagonist has a crush on a girl, however in this film, the note (receipt) is welcoming the boy. In Summer of 42, the note portrays a different message (didnt want spoilers) Both films have a powerful, somewhat awkward romantic dance scene with the female lead using a classic record player (having it play out to a crackling loop). If you know Mikey, I think it's very interesting that a woman's name is "Casey" (maybe an intentional lil easter egg).

[@osamanbush6575]

This nigga was sittin by the door the whole time and he aint answer that shit?! Lmao

[@nemo2327]

Notice how in suburban LA there are 0 cars parked outside a function? Well at least what's being portrayed in this short. Idk something about that in particular really got me thinking how simple and uncluttered the environment must be in these areas! Nothing like California.

[@JonPlarr]

Yes the valley is much quieter than LA

[@filmbuff4]

@@JonPlarr the Valley is still LA as far as im concerned and there's still mad traffic. I went to high school in Woodland Hills fyi.

[@JonPlarr]

@@filmbuff4 Yeah valley traffic is definitely bad but its not like 100% street parking like the beach cities and stuff. Depends on the neighborhood too. I think mikey is from toluca

[@rosiesandoval7422]

They filmed some parts in Orange County!

[@jello2920]

@@filmbuff4 lmfao i live there rn 😭😭😭

[@jtjackson3516]

i appreciate how much time and effort was put into the audio editing and color editing, it’s all well done

[@drewsiko3433]

Much love and mad respect to Mikey and the whole team. This is so surreal to see this life I dream of having captured so perfectly with that big screen look. This story is so fresh and it challenges the viewer to really read between the lines and put themselves in the shoes (or iconic IC clothing) (Or white gildan shirt) of the characters. I love how many little ideas were presented over just 20 minutes I wasn't bored for a second, In fact it feels like every second I don't watch this film or try to bring some of this energy into my life I'm very bored. In this story we only get small glimpses of people, how they interact with each other, and how they act when nobody is around. The most important scenes for me have little to no dialogue but truly further the overarching theme of innocent misunderstanding, and sometimes just being in the wrong situation at the time, maybe in the wrong shirt sometimes. But although the subject matter feels unique and untouched until now, my favorite parts of this film really are the candid and natural cutaways showing lighthearted conversations between friends. The juxtaposition between honest young adults having as much fun as they can and the leisurely recreation of older gentlemen really put this world into perspective and to me really validates what some people might refer to as "rambunctious teenagers and their useless activities" This film to me is a window into a world I want to live in, sometimes when I'm lucky enough to visit my friends in the Los Angles area (including the never-stopping Mikey Alfred) I really feel a "part of this world" like Ariel in the little mermaid exchanging her voice for a chance to walk on land, I exchange my Canadian dollars for a plane or bus ride to my favorite civilization. Illegal Civilization. TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Zinksk8er]

DREW SIKO and I will say most interesting comment yet. Though dialogue doesn't necessarily make a good film (Driver in 2011 Ryan Goslin, great example) their was a scene or two were the dialogue was not the greatest, good dialogue (personally) is just what someone would have said off camera. I (though having no relationship experience) am not so sure that the end scene where Ryder and that girl were in the kitchen would be happened so quick, but I guess they really wantex the duration of the vid to be 20:17? I feel like a bit more could've been fit in. I just felt that the female would've had a bit more to say, but what do I know. The thrift store scene was a little rough on the acting, but over all 8 out of 10, pretty visuals, sweet vibes, good music, nice simple plot, nothing that blows you away but something I could definitely enjoy. Mikeyxyz123 we see the progression, each film has gotten better and better.

[@yuhhweahz3505]

DREW SIKO it’s really not that deep tbh 😂😂

[@user-dg5kf6dm8v]

This shit sucks fym

[@braidonc1662]

ay I follow you on Instagram

[@eileensianez6766]

I grew up here and it's still pretty boring when you're a teenager. I couldn't wait to leave L.A.!!I would rather be in Canada where you are.Most people want what they don't have,that's all.

[@tylersmith0517]

its so refreshing to come back to this 4 years later with the shit thats coming out now. its nothing special, just feels more real and natural than anything I’ve seen since. just a refreshing take on a day in the life. never needed it more.

[@theunsuspectingvictim4360]

I wish more movies were made like this

[@ethancaspillo9018]

I like how Amine and Tyler just vibin in the beginning

[@sfubruh7468]

2:54 Tyler The Creator with the green cap?

[@Rubenen]

don't think much yea

[@gabrielebrusovaite2427]

bruhhhh

[@germanl.s.a1165]

3:07 I see amine on the background))))

[@lindam8791]

i was looking for a comment about him

[@oliverpaine3725]

I wish that shit was longer that was so good man

[@Lilly-ib6ms]

theres more episodes!

[@christianlanuzo9875]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS

[@casper1966]

Watching this for the third time. Still can’t comprehend how aesthetically pleasing this is

[@ugottarllyrubit4782]

straight up thought main character was lucas vercetti from OF lmao

[@ugottarllyrubit4782]

@ANYTHNG G03S Not to sure, last time i heard he was working at supreme on fairfax

[@Spotlight360Ent]

Wow well put together with almost all natural lighting

[@jessekyle7582]

This, this right here is what fuels generations to come with ambition, drive, and the want to skate. To progress. To live a life that involves or revolves around skateboarding. Not just this one short film, but all Illegal Civ content.

[@Kevinciano577]

this is the film we’ve needed for so long

[@theunsuspectingvictim4360]

This is so genuine.

[@YoutubeChannel-nl2pg]

i want to see more productions with characters like this

[@marinas3352]

This was amazing Mikey, you're improving so much. Inspiring as always.

[@CamiBebe11]

Absolutely precious, beautiful, creative, and genuine.

[@unknown_death1997]

link me up to the "backup girl" fam

[@CarterLeachFilm]

Tomé Rodrigues Gabriella Quezada

[@alexanderrico8245]

cosmo pyke in the beginning !! i’m so stoked already (-‘: he’s so underrated

[@probabyjesus6786]

Just walks himself into the girls house

[@xsitied2708]

love these sm

[@Livewithdime]

Fr

[@versee6364]

for some reason I forgot this video like actually happened and ever since I first saw it ( like a year and a half ago ) i thought I was just making it up In my head. so happy I found this again.

[@hbkskaterdude3]

love the scene where he throws the shirt

[@FlyyScience]

These movies keep getting better and better

[@701Ash]

rewatch this at least once a month man i’ve never had a summer like this

[@raichu56k]

crazy how this already a throwback

[@jetlgg]

wow i love illegal civilization so much !!

[@missruize]

Love the directing so much of this entire world, journey & above all story (not a fable nor a tail).

[@roysaucedo]

Beautiful! Keep doing these short films man! Good stuff!

[@plothora]

Time stamp is 20:17

[@lwmneke]

Oh damn 🔥

[@ninaclark896]

Omg it took me a month to realize that

[@natelyons7033]

??

[@iluvjxx]

funny how they went from this short films to north hollywood movie shsesshhh

[@peaeeter]

loved this so much

[@jen6224]

this is so beautiful thank you

[@roan4904]

Jasper looked so out of place 💀

[@iletaMarchita]

he thinks he the shit bro, he bout to bea nobody like every other member of o,f

[@ndndshv4725]

Yeeerrr this is good I’m happy he threw the shirt

[@lizcabrera6323]

this is so good!

[@SS-je3ou]

10/10 I love this!!

[@caivsivlivs]

no lie this is better than north hollywood. should have made summer '17 the movie lol

[@AamarahKing]

RIGHT?

[@wtfrollin1817]

last one titles sampled. Sounds amazing.

[@00eliot_48]

Man i really love illegalciv. Its just amazing the work they can do at this age. its amazing man.

[@RohitRajeev_]

I loved it, its actually so good.

[@xyz-in2zq]

yessss 🙏🏾

[@grasspiss3284]

Me: mom can I have mid 90s Mom:we have mid 90s at home. Mid 90s at home: Summer of 17

[@maddilocke575]

Benefits Ben lmaoooo

[@Toaster___Bath]

hahahaha epic

[@skaterkill97]

Great film dude, well done

[@sparklesparkle3370]

When I first watched this I always thought that when I got older it would be a gateway to the mid-2010s and yeah that still holds up Thank you for the gift ILLEGAL CIV

[@connordaniels3246]

Mikey, This video is excellent and the acting was superb. Thank You, Connor

[@truealiban]

Connor Daniels the acting was ass don't lie to yourself

[@DIRTYBU77]

fire wish it was longer

[@mukamaslove1986]

it feels so slow and cosy as you watch it then when it was over i couldnt believe it was 20 minutes it felt so quick!10/10

[@terrxnce338]

This is soooo good