Among B-Boys is a project documenting the widespread and lasting phenomena of the Hip Hop artform of "B-Boying" (and B-Girling), often referred to as "breaking" and "breakdancing", on the Hmong American community. For those unfamiliar with the Hmong culture, a short (very) brief history in the US. The Hmong are, an ethnic group of China and Southeast Asia, mainly Laos. They came to the U.S. following the withrdawl of U.S. forces from Vietnam and Southeast Asia in 1975. Because of their connection with the CIA and involvement in the Secret War in Laos, they were most were forced to flee and to this day continue to be persecuted in Laos. Currently there are Hmong people in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and outside Asia in places such as France and Germany. For a better job than I could ever do, check out learnabouthmong.org a website based out of Minnesota.

Currently this documentary exists in the form of an in-progress hour length film and its online components, a website/blog and "myspace"page. It is the belief that the documentary film can provide a vessel to create a dialogue about the effects of Hip Hop's diaspora on ... well, our own diasporas.
It has been estimated that 80% of Hmong males that grow up in the U.S. are exposed to and at least try breakdancing while growing up. While this statistic is unconfirmed, and maybe a little hyperbolic, it does well to demonstrate a well accepted perception of how widespread B-Boying is in their community.

Among B-Boys explores a movement of Hmong youth with a starting point in the California Central Valley. Just as the rest of the B-Boy/B-Girl world, many of them are on a quest for respect and even fame through their skills. In this search for success in the Breaking world, these youth must also navigate their way and strike a balance between their identities as Hmong and B-Boys. How do they seek to fulfill their own goals while dealing with the expectations of their parents. Complicating the issues are the pasts of their older brothers who were the first B-Boys, and many of whom also became involved in a gang culture that created rifts in the community that are still needing to be healed.

Featuring B-Boys from Sacramento, Merced, and Fresno, the spectrum of characters presented provide glimpses into two rising stars, a crew finding their identity, and even a longtime rival. More about them in the cast page.

The Among B-Boys blog was originally meant to be a production blog with its entries reflecting the progress of the documentary film production. It has so far represented this endeavor, but the blog will now additionally be used to document the stories and experiences of Hmong B-Boys around the country beyond the film. Rather than be limited by the scope of the documentary film, the blog will continue to serve the Hmong and B-Boy communities beyond the release of the film. Also the intent is to integrate the blog and website as a place which will represent the annual "Among B-Boys" competition (now in it's third year running) held in Fresno, CA. Check out the blog