New at Reason
Kerry Howley reviews Planet B-Boy, a new documentary that explores the globalizing power of breakdancing.
Comments to "New at Reason":
penxv | April 8, 2008, 12:38pm | #
I heard Lionel Richie is huge in Iraq.I know that JCVD has Russia on lock down.
It's baffling what bits of culture take root overseas.
Woohoo! I have some big cardboard boxes from our last move. Now if I can just find my old Grandmaster Flash tape...
Christopher Monnier | April 8, 2008, 1:00pm | #
The French, in the words of one promoter, have an unmatched sensitivity for music and flow. The Japanese dream up the most innovative, conceptually complex show. The Americans have a knack for individualizing their dancers, shaping characters out of movement. The Koreans dominate the competition with a combination of robot-like synchrony and gymnastic prowess. And the founder of the competition, the guy in charge of the logistics? German.What's the point of this passage? To "prove" that everyone fits into their ethnic/national stereotypes? This sounds a little like Reggie White's infamous speech to the Wisconsin State Legislature. From that speech:
"White people were blessed with the gift of structure and organization. You guys do a good job of building businesses and things of that nature and you know how to tap into money pretty much better than a lot of people do around the world. Hispanics are gifted in family structure. You can see a Hispanic person and they can put 20 or 30 people in one home... If you go to Japan or any Asian country, they can turn a television into a watch."
ed | April 8, 2008, 1:35pm | #
the Korean team "Last for One" emerges victoriousWhat the hell! No spoiler alert? Now you've ruined it for me!
(curls up in the corner and cries)
Taktix® | April 8, 2008, 4:40pm | #
Kerry,Once you have children you'll understand how non-globalizing breakdancing is.
SIV | April 8, 2008, 5:30pm | #
I won't be reading this review.Gene Trosper | April 8, 2008, 8:09pm | #
And to think: Reason used to publish *important* articles.Happy Jack | April 8, 2008, 11:22pm | #
It's interesting that Kerry posted this today. I see that Marc Lynch has a post about cultural diplomacy today, although his concerns jazz and hip-hop. I'd rather send b-boys than bombers.Windtell | April 9, 2008, 4:02am | #
I agree that this has nothing to do with Libertarianism or much of anything at all.Christopher, if that paragraph does sum up the teams nicely, it's hardly rascist, although I'd have to see the film myself. I'll try and download it tonight.
Although it's irrelevant and stereotypical, it's still written by Kerry, so I love it ;)
Christopher Monnier | April 9, 2008, 9:51am | #
Christopher, if that paragraph does sum up the teams nicely, it's hardly rascist, although I'd have to see the film myself. I'll try and download it tonight.Yeah, I mean, it is what it is, but why take a paragraph to point it out? It just seemed to me that the tone of the paragraph was, "See, globalization is a good thing because all the citizens of the world have their nice little niche." That tone doesn't seem consistent with what I've heard from Kerry in the past, which is (as one would expect) a focus on individuals and a dismissal of arbitrary borders in being fundamental in defining how people can/should live their lives. In fact, this is what the rest of the article seemed to be saying--that hip hop is a transnational phenomenon. I mean, pointing out that the guy in charge of logistics is German? That sort of seems akin to saying, "the guy in charge of the money? Jewish."
megs | April 10, 2008, 7:30am | #
Wow, Christopher, I totally did not read it that way. I guess with all the Olympics talk I just took it the way I would a similar description of athletes by country happens in the Olympics - often stylistic ways of doing the same sport vary by country. Either because there is one coach or because the sport is played that way regularly in the country, or something. In this case, I wonder how much the stylistic choices are based on local music. Strangely enough, I've heard a LOT of French and Japanese hip hop (French is angry, wordy; Japanese stuff is more focused on the beats).And I felt like the German guy was included because Germany is hosting the competition but.. doesn't have a team? I dunno.
But something about Korean kids earning money for awesome dancing just makes my day.