International breakdancing championship doc has narrow focus

Utilitarian documentary about international breakdancing championship in Germany proves lackluster in its depiction of inventive choreography and culture. Though something like 18 different teams came from all over the world to compete in this championship, our access is limited to the five teams that end up leading the contest. Lack of much historical context leaves out possibility of film becoming an educational market pick, but to those already indoctrinated in the world of B-boying and hip hop, missing out on the context probably doesn’t much matter.

Sophomore director Benson Lee keeps the energy relatively steady in this effort, using graffiti-style animations to move us from nation to nation in pursuit of the next great B-boy tribe. Sadly, though, the overall point of the doc seems somewhat unclear. At first, the doc is aiming at a sort of legitimizing history, but as soon as the contest is introduced, the emphasis goes onto the characters participating—and yet offers strikingly little human interest in the introduction of these dancers.

Most dancers are making magic out of nothing, working from positions of lesser privilege and maintaining full-time jobs while practicing impossible hours. Their passion is impressive and their creativity is sometimes mind-boggling. Their physical feats are only made more meaningful by the moments we see them rehearsing—a challenge that can’t be underestimated. Though the dancers’ skills are really incredible, and their accomplishments in the context of the contest are life altering, one can’t help feeling that the only audience out there that “gets it” is the audience that “got it” before the reel started rolling. If you’re not a fan, this one won’t change that.

Distributor: Elephant Eye
Director: Benson Lee
Producers: Benson Lee and Amy Lo
Genre: Documentary/Dance
Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 101 min.
Release date: March 21 NY/LA