FEATURE FILM / 2014

Dessau Dancers

In the summer of 1985, an American movie also ignites young people in the GDR: "Beatstreet" ensures full cinemas and subsequently a new phenomenon in the streets - breakdancing! The 18-year-old Frank is electrified and founds the "Break Beaters" with like-minded friends in Dessau. The troupe dances on the streets and soon forms the spearhead of the breakdance movement in the GDR. But sooner than they would have liked, the street dancers came to the attention of the state. And they like to keep control over the leisure activities of their youth. Because what the GDR cannot ban, it tries to control - ergo the project must become socialist! So breakdancing becomes "acrobatic show dancing" and the "Break Beaters" are built up as a showcase troupe, sent around the country and soon celebrated like rock stars. But fame comes at a price and Frank slowly realizes that the price is pretty high.