Watch Into the Beat

Into the Beat is a 2020 German music drama directed by Stefan Westerwelle. The film revolves around the life of a student named Katya who is torn between her love for ballet and her newfound passion for hip hop dancing. Alexandra Pfeifer plays the role of Katya, while Helen Schneider and Anton Wichers portray her parents. The story unfolds in Berlin, where Katya is enrolled in a prestigious ballet academy. She has been training in ballet since she was a child and her parents have high expectations for her to become a professional ballerina. However, Katya's life takes a turn when she meets a street dance crew led by Marlon (Yalany Marschner).

Katya is intrigued by Marlon's crew and their unconventional approach to dancing. She begins to explore hip hop dance and finds that it comes naturally to her. Although she is torn between her love for ballet and her passion for hip hop, she decides to pursue both forms of dance simultaneously.

As Katya trains with Marlon's crew, she learns more about herself and her abilities. She also discovers that there is more to dance than just following strict rules and techniques. Katya's journey taking her on a a rollercoaster of emotions as she tries to navigate her way through the different worlds of ballet and hip hop.

Tensions arise between Katya and her parents as they see her passion for hip hop as a distraction from her and ballet studies. Her mother, Renate (Helen Schneider), is overbearing and anxious, while her father (Anton Wichers) is supportive but traditional in his thinking. Katya's attempts to bridge the gap with her parents are met with resistance, leading her to question whether she can truly pursue her dreams.

As the story progresses, Katya is presented with a life-changing opportunity to audition for a renowned ballet company. But with the audition clashing with one of Marlon's biggest street competitions, she is faced with having to choose between the two. The dilemma she faces symbolizes the struggle between holding onto tradition or breaking free and embracing new forms of art.

Into the Beat is an engaging and uplifting coming-of-age story that captures the essence of identity exploration and freedom of artistic expression. With a powerful central performance from Alexandra Pfeifer, who demonstrates her dedication to mastering both dance forms, the film explores issues of cultural clashes and the importance of following one's passion.

The cinematography and soundtrack perfectly capture the electric energy and vibrancy of Berlin's urban landscape, while the dance routines showcase a fusion of classic ballet and contemporary street style hip hop. Stefan Westerwelle has done an excellent job of exploring the themes of individuality and society's norms, emphasizing the idea that one does not have to conform to societal expectations.

In conclusion, Into the Beat is a compelling film that will appeal to both those familiar with hip hop culture and dance enthusiasts. The movie sends a powerful message about pursuing one's dreams, even when they stand in contrast to society's expectations. It is an entertaining, moving, and visually stunning film that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to follow your passions.

Into the Beat is a 2020 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.