BREAKDANCE

US, 1984, 82 minutes, Colour.
Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Christopher Mc Donald.
Directed by Joel Silberg.

Breakdance is a pleasant musical based on the style of street dancing developed in Los Angeles and New York in the early '80s. The film's plot is the regular rags-to-riches story transformed to the Los Angeles streets and making it in show business. (Perhaps this is somewhat against the spirit of the initial breakdancers with their unemployment, creativity on the streets, gang rivalry a contrast with the pizzazz of the showbiz world to which they eventually succumb.)

The slender plot is pleasantly played but the focus is on the skill of the breakdancing with its combination of dance, mime and gymnastics. Other films to capitalise on this love of dancing in the early '80s included Harry Belafonte's Produced Beat Street with breakdancing in New York.

The film came in the mood of Flashdance, Footloose, Stayin' Alive.

1. An entertaining film? The zest of the dancing? The familiarity of the plot? An '80s version of rags to riches and the show must go on?

2. The popularity of dance films in the early '80s ? Fame, Flashdance, Footloose, Beat Street,' Stayin' Alive? The influence on the teenage dancing and recreation styles of the time?

3. The origins of breakdancing in the street dances, in Los Angeles: personalities, style, behaviour, skills, expression,
clashes, competition? The intriguing dance style and comparisons with popular traditions of American dancing (and the humorous reference to Fred Astaire and his dancing and the updated parallels)? The final show business styles for exploiting breakdancing? The background of Los Angeles, Venice. the streets, cars, society?

5. The style of the music. the lyrics and verve? Choreography: improvisation, aerobics, gymnastics, disco rhythms, the quality of mime? The editing and the effect of presenting the spirit of breakdancing on the screen? The cast and personalities, liveliness? Kelly and her ordinary work, lessons, the encounter with Franco, friendship, Ozone? Turbo? Attraction, the sessions, learning, gaining a manager, jealousies. the competitions, proving herself, her previous manager and his hold and animosity? Auditions, proving herself? Success? Ozone? getting up. skills, the encounter with Kelly, friendship with Turbo, work, the rivals, the scenes of his practising, winning, surliness, clash with the manager, the party, the audition and the happy ending?

10. Turbo and his friendship with Ozone and Kelly, his skills, comic personality?

11. The presentation of the groups and their breakdancing competitions in the West Side Story vein?

12. Franco and his prejudice, his school, animosity towards Kelly, his own groups and auditioning them? His trying to get the group excluded from the theatre?

13. The manager and the bridge? Success?

14. The kids and their background, skills, turning a gift to creative value? A strong and healthy dance movement of the '80s?