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The images are everywhere: young, Black women shaking their assets in music videos featuring the biggest names in hip hop. The dancers appear to be pretty props, gyrating to songs with misogynistic lyrics sung by mostly male rappers - images that appear to be exploitative and stereotypical. Yet auditions are highly sought after. What drives these women to risk everything - education, jobs, relationships - for a chance at fame?

Breakin' In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer goes behind the scenes to find the truth behind these highly sexualized images. This edgy POV documentary follows Linda, Michelle and Tracy - three young Black women as they compete for roles in hip hop music videos. Through their eyes we see how this world has impacted their personal values, their career ambitions and their concepts of beauty and self-image.

Breakin' In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer was produced as part of the Reel Diversity Competition for emerging filmmakers of colour. Reel Diversity is a National Film Board of Canada initiative in partnership with CBC Newsworld.

2005, 55 min 16 s

Breakin' In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer (PDF)

Breakin' In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer - DVD

Healthy Body Image Collection

Breakin' In: The Making of a Hip Hop Dancer - DVD

Healthy Body Image Collection

Honorable Mention - Category: Social Issues
International Film and Video Festival
November 9 to 13 2005, Columbus - USA