Favorite New Films - Planet B-Boy
posted by The Joe
Planet B-Boy, Benson Lee’s documentary on b-boying’s place in (literally) the world of hip-hop, is quite remarkable for exceeding the bounds in which the documentary genre has pigeonholed itself into in recent years. Ever since the success of 2002’s Spellbound, an increasingly high number of docs have followed the formula of a particular subculture phenomenon that leads to a particular battle - which Planet B-Boy follows by the numbers. However, whereas most other films keep characters and events at surface-level that reduce the material to mere quirks, Planet B-Boy brings focus and humanity to everyone involved.
The film begins with a brief overview of the rise and fall of b-boying - started as part of the hip-hop movement and almost killed by 80s pop culture (deeming it ‘breakdancing’) - before delving into its diverse modern culture, with unique styles forming all over the world. The main focus becomes four teams vying for the top spot in the annual Battle of the Year: America, Japan, France, and South Korea. Through the awe-inspiring talent of these teams, b-boying is showcased as an ever-evolving and legitimate dance form of self-expression.
Planet B-Boy goes the extra mile when it manages to introduce every member of the teams, delving into their particular strengths, personalities, and lives in general. You come to care about these people and their dreams, and root for them every step of the way as they battle it out to be number one. And what a battle it is . . . Japan’s Ichigeki in particular puts on a show that”ll most likely be the most awe-inspiring cinema I’ll see all year.
While brisk and easy-to-digest (it’s no Standard Operating Procedure, to be sure), Planet B-Boy’s non-stop energy and endearing characters makes this rise far above the realm of superficial filmmaking.
Planet B-Boy is currently playing in Minneapolis at the Lagoon Cinema. Check HERE to see where else it’s playing.
Planet B-Boy - Trailer