Planet B-Boy

b-boy (or b-girl), breaker, or breakdancer refers to someone who practices breakdancing.

I know that you’ve all seen packs of breakdancers crowded around plastic mats at train stations and on street corners. But, have you ever stopped to think that there’s more to this old school hip-hop dance than just head spins and leg kicks?

Breakdancing combines artistic skill, power and strength, along with hip-hop culture and music, all creating a unique style of urban street dancing and freedom of expression. It has finally received celluloid attention that’s well deserved, with b-boys having first started dropping mats on New York street corners in the early 70s. Planet B-Boy was one of the musical-themed documentaries of this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival, and it’s opened up a whole new appreciation for the jaw-dropping dance form.

Benson Lee, the film’s director, presents a true overview of international b-boy culture, taking viewers on a worldwide tour of the strongest and most artistic breakdance crews on the planet. Quick edits and fast-paced dance sequences are intertwined through backdrops of Paris, Osaka, Las Vegas, and Seoul, showcasing raw emotion and compelling storylines following the top crews profiled. Each b-boy posse discusses the origins of breakdancing in their culture, showing the audience how the artistic style and skill varies from continent to continent. But, there is one thing that each of these b-boys have in common – dedication.

So, what’s the payoff after all of this hard work? Winning the breakdancing Battle of the Year competition held annually in Germany. And it’s definitely not about monetary rewards. These b-boys perform with their heart and souls. The film focuses on the raw emotion and intense perseverance that is required to be an internationally acclaimed b-boy. When it comes time for the final battle you’ll be on the edge of your seat as the top four crews fight it out for first place. Showcasing an unbelievable range of thrilling dance moves, flips, spins, and holds, Planet B-Boy invokes a contagious urge to spin around on your head on the theatre floor.

Before you rush home to view that instructional YouTube video, check out Planet B-Boy for a true appreciation of this international dance form at its best, and take some tips from some of the most talented b-boys of our time. For more info have a look at the official websites: www.planetbboy.com and www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au

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