Synopsis
From its humble roots to the Olympic stage, we trace breaking’s five-decade evolution from street culture to a global movement, following a diverse group of breakers from Australia, Europe and the USA as they navigate the unprecedented qualification journey to Paris. For a community long misunderstood by the mainstream, the Olympics offer a chance to challenge decades of misconception and finally show the world what breaking really is. But when a social media storm erupts around Australian B-Girl Raygun, breaking becomes a global punchline and the community is left reeling. With unprecedented access before, during and after the Games, the film goes beyond the headlines to reveal the people and culture behind Olympic breaking, following them through the fallout as they regroup, rebuild and look towards a new generation and an unexpected future beyond Paris.
Story
When breaking is announced for the Paris Olympic Games, hundreds of breakers around the world step onto an untrodden path. With the World DanceSport Federation at the helm, a new qualification and ranking system takes shape. Through a diverse group of breakers from Australia, Europe and the USA, we follow the highs, sacrifices and uncertainty of a gruelling international campaign. After a series of qualifying events — including the controversial Oceania Championships, where Australian B-Girl Raygun secures her Olympic place — the field is narrowed to just 16 B-Girls and 16 B-Boys for Paris.
For the breakers who make it there, the Olympics represent an extraordinary opportunity: a chance to challenge decades of misconception, show the world what breaking really is and gain recognition for something many have spent their lives defending as far more than a “hobby”.
But as the world watches, the story takes an unexpected turn.
A social media storm erupts around B-Girl Raygun, and breaking itself becomes part of the joke. Misinformation and ridicule spread around the world, leaving a community that had arrived in Paris hoping to change perceptions confronting an entirely different reality.
With unprecedented access before, during and after the Games, the film follows the fallout from inside the breaking community. Through first-hand accounts and perspectives from both within and beyond the culture, we examine the phenomenon surrounding Raygun while following breakers as they begin another, less expected journey: recovery.
Coming together as they always have, the community looks beyond Paris. New talent emerges, a new generation steps forward, and breaking begins to find its next direction.
Featuring Olympic athletes, pioneers and voices from across the international breaking community, this is the story of a culture the world thought it discovered in Paris — but had been evolving, competing and thriving for more than fifty years.
Production Stage
- Development
- Production
- Post-production
- Completed
- Outreach
DURATION: 100 MINUTES
Issue area
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