'Skywalkers: A Love Story' Takeaway: Why deadly pandemic left this daring couple penniless
Contains spoilers for 'Skywalkers: A Love Story'
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: 'Skywalkers: A Love Story' was released on Netflix on July 19, 2024. The adventure documentary showcased a daring couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, who climb to rooftops seeking an adrenaline rush like never before.
The couple started off as individuals posting their acrobatic acts on social media gaining a following for each other. Ivan was one of the most popular climbers in Russia and Angela began by trying to one-up him by performing the same stunts with an addition of gymnastics.
They start working together and eventually fall in love with each other to gain an even bigger following as they live an ideal life following their passion and making money before the coronavirus pandemic came to haunt them.
The coronavirus pandemic was hard on travel companies
The biggest hit companies during the coronavirus pandemic were the travel companies as heavy restrictions were imposed all over the world and traveling became difficult.
Angela and Ivan's source of income was primarily sponsorship coming from travel companies that would allow them to travel all over the world and do what they do best. Climb buildings.
In the early part of the documentary we saw them travel across the world to China, France, and other countries climbing different skyscrapers sponsored by travel companies. They had a heavy following so the companies wanted to connect with them to reach out to their followers.
Once the pandemic came though, the companies began to cut costs and sponsorships were at the very bottom of their lists. This left them in a financial crisis.
At one point we even see Ivan's father asking him to join a company as a sales representative helping him earn money. Another compounding factor to their problems was the Russia- Ukraine war, particularly as Ivan had Ukrainian roots.
Further, there were bans on social media which was their only source of income and the war left them without any money or source of income.
Why was climbing Merdeka 118 important for Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus?
Climbing the Merdeka was important for them because it would bring them back into the social media picture as the Malaysian tower had a lot of attention then.
The plan was exceedingly successful as their video was extremely successful even though it had some legal ramifications. The video went on to be screened at the Times Square in New York.
Apart from professional reasons, their relationship was going through a tough time with the hardships they were suffering but the extreme situation put them at a place where they learned to trust and love each other yet again.
'Skywalkers: A Love Story' is streaming on Netflix