FILM - Planet B-Boy

 
 
Before seeing Planet B-Boy, I admit it: I was a philistine. Like most of the world, my exposure to breakdancing was limited to the background dancers in Britney Spears’ videos and that one episode of 90210 when Steve visited the Bronx.
 
I didn’t know that breakdancing (or B-Boy) culture is alive and quite literally kicking today, and that its athletes are some of the most dedicated and single-mindedly passionate in the world. Most of all, I knew nothing about Battle of the Year, the annual B-Boy content held in Germany which forms the backdrop to the film. Planet B-Boy follows five of the teams vying for the top prize at Battle of the Year, along the way filling out a bit of hip-hop history and explanations of B-Boy culture for the uninitiated.
 
 
Like any good subculture doco, Planet B-Boy works by establishing a personal connection between those spinning on their heads and the viewer. The stories of these crews is often surprisingly heart-warming, and it’s difficult not to find yourself caught up in the emotional swell, expertly spun together by director Benson Lee in his first documentary. Best of all are the bemused families of the dancers, who are proud of their little B-Boys even if they don’t know exactly what the B stands for.
 
 
Most interesting is Lee’s exploration of the national character of these teams from everywhere from the US to France to South Korea. To hear about and see all these subtle differences between the crews’ styles (Japan is inventive, but France has the passion, &tc) really displays the depth of breakdancing and its tendency to skip all over the lines between being a ‘sport’ and an ‘art’.
 
The advantage of a doco focusing on breakdancing is that it’s pretty incredible to watch even if you do happen to be an ignorant philistine. The movie is packed with moments that will make you lean slightly forward in your chair and whisper anxiously “…is he still spinning on his head?” Still, there’s a very delicate balance between showing enough breakdancing action to sate the hunger of B-Boy fanatics and showing too much that it will bore casual viewers. Planet B-Boy probably tilts a little too much in favour of the former, particularly in the closing stages where the teams do battle for the final gong.
 
Nevertheless, Planet B-Boy is quickly paced and aided along by a great soundtrack from a smattering of hip hop legends. The obsession of these dancers with their art, and their earnest desire to communicate why they love breakdancing is infectious – and I for one am glad that I’m no longer a flithy, filthy philistine. 

 

 

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Comments

avjoseph's picture

Planet B-Boy

Thu, 27/11/2008 - 10:00 — avjoseph

It is great to see documentaries such as planet B-Boy being made because they have the power to demonstrate to the world the youth culture which may be perceived by other generations as wholly frivolous or without merit is in fact as steeped in culture and tradition (albeit a short one) as other older art forms, and requires as much discipline.  It should become evident even to the most resistant of audiences that in the comparatively short history of Breakdance and B-Boy there have been massive developments in the abilities of the athletes/dancers, and in their expectations of themselves and others.  I look forward to learning about the sense of global community which is fostered by international competitions such as battle of the year, and to seeing the promotion of a genuinely new and exciting art form.

Cheers,

AVJ

mr_metaphor.'s picture

gadzooks!

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 23:20 — mr_metaphor.

"B-boys flygirls throw your hands in the air.
Aah yeah, like you just dont care.

Old skool sounds, come down blastin'
All the homies in the house, you know they be maxin'.
Coolin' out with style, like back-in-the-days
Representin' the skills (to pay the bills) & puttin' suckers in their place."

 

Rep your hood(ies), mother fuckers.

scarecrow's picture

yew!

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 14:49 — scarecrow

I wish I too could say I wasn't a dirty philistine!

Joshua's picture

we don't want to know how

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 15:02 — Joshua

we don't want to know how dirty you are, just how much you crave the dance floor - or maybe just tickets to see those who do

adelaideautobot's picture

Breakdancing

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 14:45 — adelaideautobot

Can I have tickets? Perhaps even a cd?

To brighten your day, here is Ice T representing '80's-style in a breakdance battle movie:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vtIXFxfnfU&feature=related

 

RTD's picture

whers it at?

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 14:28 — RTD

If you want to go see live break dancing in Adelaide check out Medal Jam on Sat 22nd Nov under the King William St bridge!

Joshua's picture

should read 21st! :)

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 14:31 — Joshua

Yeah I can't wait to see the boys from Adelaide bust out on the Saturday (22nd) Check the Medal Jam Videos here

Ken's picture

B is for Blitz

Fri, 28/11/2008 - 12:35 — Ken

France's dancers may have the passion, but without courage, they'll never be any match for speed of the Germans.

lunchface's picture

B stands for Baggett

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 14:18 — lunchface

yo yo yo - i remember when i was growing up in france, my moms was too broke to send me to break dancing school. So i learnt on da steets. 4 real. now i is a little older and is gettin paid doin this shiznittles. word. so i needs the tickets to take my french moms to da moofies and show her wots this shits is all about. oh yeah, my french moms loves da cinemaplex. i'd buy her a ticket but my monies is all tied up. diversify yo bonds sucka. love you moms.

peace out yall

lunchface-spin (like a head spin, but you eat a beef sandwhich while spinnin on ya faces)

Gridz's picture

Break

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 12:50 — Gridz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9CcotpUrB0&feature=related

joined1's picture

That clip looked fantastic.

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 11:16 — joined1

That clip looked fantastic. Can I have some free tickets?? :)

Owen's picture

Yessir

Wed, 19/11/2008 - 11:37 — Owen

Well joined1 by posting here you're in the running! One bit I forgot to mention was the second-best part of the movie: the racist French mother, explaining how she learned to become more liberal thanks to her son's involvement in breakdance. They're not only breaking the dance...... they're breaking down barriers. *ending credits of Full House music*