How I Wish I Could Be a B-Boy
Recently, Planet B-Boy, a documentary film directed by Benson Lee and produced by Amy Lo and Benson Lee, rolled into town. I got a chance to peep the film—it is really good. The movie is about the urban dance form known as breaking. Jeff Yang and Angry Phil Asian Man both recently interviewed Benson Lee about this film. It seems as though everybody in the Asian American blogsphere loves it.
Now, right upfront, I’m going to say that I don’t know a whole lot about b-boy-ing. Like any outsider looking in though, I am amazed by the acrobatics and power of this dance form. While b-boying is cut from the same cloth as hip hop, DJ-ing, and graffiti art, it has its own space. Breaking and other urban dance forms provide youth with a medium for self-expression, to explore their identity, and to create something collaborative.
The film follows the story of five dance teams from four different countries as they try to become the world’s number one b-boy team. They end up competing at the world’s largest b-boying competition: “Battle of the Year.” I was impressed by the dance team from Chelle, France, who run workshops to teach youth about their art form. My favorite team, though, was Last For One, a team composed of poor kids from rural South Korea. I was particularly touched by the story of the boy who was raised by a single dad. While his father would rather his son be a doctor or professor, he seems to support his son’s efforts. On the whole, the interviews with the families helped to give a very human quality to the film—which I think was part of the point of the film. Sure, these dancers are ungodly on the stage, but off the stage, they have their teen / early 20s angst and they have their insecurities.
The one aspect of the movie that was slightly disappointing was the lack of gender diversity. It seems that b-boy-ing is indeed just about boys. The movie did briefly interview one b-girl. Granted, breaking, popping, and locking is dominated by male dancers, but still, only boys, really?
If the movie rolls into your town, you should make a point to go see it. Not because it is produced by Asian Americans, but because it is inspirational and because breaking, by any other name would still be as cool. So, check it out. Witness the stunning dance moves or the brilliant choreography and see the passion of the performers as they leave it all out there in the battle.
The last thing I would like to mention is that the original music in the movie was written and produced by Woody Pak of Chaos Music Theory.
[... and I actually prefer body popping, but that is another story for another time...]
Last 5 posts by eugene
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- Boston Independent Film Festival 2008 - April 21st, 2008
I went to see “Planet B-boy” Wednesday…and I must say, I came out of that theater energized, inspired and completely blown away. It truly is a film that transcends the dance form itself. You don’t have to know much about b-boying to “get” this film. Director Benson Lee does an awesome job of showing the personal, cultural and political motivations of b-boying. Ultimately, no matter how hot your technical moves or innovative your showmanship, the winners are the ones with the most heart, dedication and passion. Last For One was also my personal fave, though I give mad props to Japanese crew Ichigeki (which means “One Strike One Kill”) for their crazy J-rockerish choreography and strong presence.
ANDDD (super dorky excited moment) you know that Canon in D by Pachelbel commercial with a Korean orchestra & b-boys? [http://youtube.com/watch?v=oex4S3vPKR4]Those dudes were none other than Last For One - the winners of BOTY! Of course, the band Seriously is managed by Woody Pak. So everything comes full circle.
Ok I’m gonna stop gushing about b-boys now, but really…go see it!
P.S If b-girls is what you’re looking for, check out Masia One’s “Return of the B-girl” [http://www.myspace.com/masiaone]. Proof that b-girls are indeed alive & thriving.