Planet B-Boy
Encyclopedia
Planet B-Boy is a 2007 documentary film
that focuses on the 2005 Battle of the Year
while also describing B-boy culture and history as a global phenomenon. This documentary was directed by Canadian-American Korean filmmaker Benson Lee, shot by Portuguese-American filmmaker Vasco Nunes
, and released in theaters in the United States on March 21, 2008. It was released on dvd on November 11, 2008.
of the Rock Steady Crew
.
This film has been shown at numerous festivals around the world after originally making its debut on April 26, 2007 at the Tribeca Film Festival
. Planet B-Boy has received many strong reviews and currently has a 91% rating at Rotten Tomatoes
- with the consensus that "Lee's dazzling documentary makes a compelling argument for breakdancing as an art form". In March 2008 it was revealed that director Benson Lee was working on a feature adaptation of Planet B-Boy.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
that focuses on the 2005 Battle of the Year
Battle of the Year
Battle of the Year, commonly referred to as BOTY, is an annual international b-boying series that began in 1990. It is a crew competition...
while also describing B-boy culture and history as a global phenomenon. This documentary was directed by Canadian-American Korean filmmaker Benson Lee, shot by Portuguese-American filmmaker Vasco Nunes
Vasco Nunes
Vasco Lucas Nunes is a Portuguese cinematographer, producer, and film director. In 2003, he graduated from the AFI Conservatory, where he got a masters in Cinematography, but had begun working in the film and television industry in the early '90s.His work is part of the permanent collection of the...
, and released in theaters in the United States on March 21, 2008. It was released on dvd on November 11, 2008.
Content
Planet B-Boy features extensive footage of the dancers in competition as well as street performances and various rehearsals by the different crews from around the world. The narrative of the film centers on five particular crews (representing France, Japan, South Korea, and the United States) in their quest to win the Battle of the Year, and it includes multiple interviews with the B-Boys and their families. The film also includes interviews with German B-Boy and promoter Thomas Hergenröther (who founded the Battle of the Year competition) and legendary B-Boy Ken SwiftKen Swift
Ken Swift is a second generation B-boy, or breakdancer, and former Vice President of the Rock Steady Crew of which he was a long time member and key figure. He is now President of the Breaklife and VII Gems Hip Hop movement in NYC. Widely known in the B-Boy world as "the Epitome of a B-Boy," Ken...
of the Rock Steady Crew
Rock Steady Crew
Rock Steady Crew is a b-boying crew and hip hop group that was established in the Bronx, New York City in 1977. The group was initially formed by b-boys named Jimmy D and Jojo. In subsequent years, Rock Steady Crew became a franchise name for groups in other locations. The Manhattan branch was...
.
This film has been shown at numerous festivals around the world after originally making its debut on April 26, 2007 at the Tribeca Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Film Festival is a film festival founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the TriBeCa neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.The mission of the festival...
. Planet B-Boy has received many strong reviews and currently has a 91% rating at Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
- with the consensus that "Lee's dazzling documentary makes a compelling argument for breakdancing as an art form". In March 2008 it was revealed that director Benson Lee was working on a feature adaptation of Planet B-Boy.
Awards and Selections
- Best Documentary Feature Award – 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film FestivalSan Francisco International Asian American Film FestivalThe San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival presented every March is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 130 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose, USA...
- Audience Award – 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film FestivalSan Francisco International Asian American Film FestivalThe San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival presented every March is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 130 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose, USA...
- Moviesquad DOC U! Award – 2007 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
- Official Selection – 2007 Tribeca Film FestivalTribeca Film FestivalThe Tribeca Film Festival is a film festival founded in 2002 by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in a response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the consequent loss of vitality in the TriBeCa neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.The mission of the festival...
- Official Selection – 2007 Sydney Film FestivalSydney Film FestivalThe Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
- Official Selection – Edinburgh International Film FestivalEdinburgh International Film FestivalThe Edinburgh International Film Festival is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each June. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival...
2007 - Official Selection – 33rd Deauville American Film FestivalDeauville American Film FestivalThe Deauville American Film Festival is a yearly film festival devoted to American cinema, taking place since 1975 in Deauville, France. It was established by Lionel Chouchan and André Halimi....
- Official Selection – 2008 Constellation Change Film Festival
- Official Selection – 2008 Philadelphia Asian American Film FestivalPhiladelphia Asian American Film FestivalThe Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is a film festival that shows feature films and short films by and about Asian Americans. Its organizers, the nonprofit group Philadelphia Asian American Film and Filmmakers, intend it to be an annual event...
External links
- {http://www.knuckleheadzoo.com}
- Official website
- Interview with Benson Lee
- Planet B-Boy director aims to give break dancing its due March 2008 interview with the New York Daily News.
- Conversation with Benson Lee, Director of Planet B-Boy April 2009, State of Mind Music