Planet B-Boy: Breakdancing Has Evolved
(Elephant Eye)The B-boys who used to breakdance to Kool Herc’s beats in the South Bronx probably never thought that one day their groove would evolve into a movement with an international Battle of the Year run by a German guy. Planet B-Boy documents the 2005 contest held in Braunschweig, Germany, between crews from 18 countries “out to break the misconception that [as dancers] they don’t know what they’re doing.” The focus runs on five squads – Japan’s Ichigeki, France’s Phase T, the Las Vegas Knucklehead Zoo, and South Korean tandem of Last for One and Gamblerz – vividly articulating how their collective passion for this art form proves their cultural differences irrelevant. Director Benson Lee, who offers his take in the bonus features, proves his chops with fresh clips of crews breaking in front of the Vegas Strip, Eiffel Tower, and Korea’s 38th parallel.
This article appears in December 26 • 2008.