The Circuit

The scene at Webster Hall on Friday night was like an urban version of “Dancing with the Stars,” for the premiere party for Benson Lee’s “Planet B-Boy.”  A tribute to the universal appeal of break-dancing (a.k.a. b-boying), the documentary follows five dance crews in their quest to become world champions.

Teams from the New York area faced off against two from the film, Las Vegas’ Knucklehead Zoo and South Korea’s Last For One, in a series of challenges billed as “The Battle for Tribeca.” And although the night, meant to kick off at 10:30, actually got underway after midnight, the crowd wasted no time during the delay. Members of the audience put on their own showcases, forming circles around performers eager to show off their toprocking, airtracking and flaring techniques. Because one team was stranded outside— as can happen at a venue with a tightly guarded rope—a (slightly surreal) announcement was made from the stage for director Lee to rescue them, “We have Supreme Beings at the door and we can’t get them in, Benson.” Thomas Hergenrother, who founded the international Battle of the Year championship competition, said he hoped the film would “open new eyes” to the unifying power of B-boying. And although Knucklehead Zoo triumphed over the heavily favored Korean team, for the audience, the night was all about mutual admiration and respect. “We’re sharing our wealth the world,” exclaimed MC Kwikstep. “Let’s give it up for hip hop.” (L. Oei)