Fly (2021)

Young parcel courier Rebecca “Bex” Anderson is in prison for causing grievous bodily harm through gross negligence after causing a serious traffic accident. Because of her poor conduct, she is required to take part in rehabilitation activities. If she refuses, she faces transfer to a prison with harsher conditions. But neither caring for the elderly nor cleaning parks appeals to Bex. Meanwhile, the dance rehabilitation program run by administrative officer Sara Liebmann is at risk of being shut down after the participants drive away yet another dance instructor. Senate staffer Hartmann also has little faith in the program’s effectiveness. Sara turns to her friend Ava Rahman for help. Ava used to be a professional dancer, but after an injury she now makes a living as a taxi driver. Reluctantly, Ava agrees and meets Bex in the group. Dr. Goldberg persuaded Bex to join the dance program by offering her the prospect of one day of leave per week. The group consists of inmates who regularly get leave and offenders on probation, many of them repeat offenders. The participants are talented street dancers, and Ava is supposed to help them develop a vision for their future through dance. Unlike her predecessor, Grzibowski, Ava treats the participants as equals, while also showing confidence and strength. Gradually, she earns the group’s respect and manages to get Bex to open up. Together with the dancers, Ava tries to realize her dream of an urban dance theater for street dance. It is to be built in the burned-out shell where Ava’s brother, “Nouri” Noureddin, died. Hartmann announces that the building will be demolished, but also holds out the prospect of a new building for public use, to be developed on the basis of the best proposal. The group’s first application, however, is rejected immediately. During one of their days out, Bex and Jay grow closer. But shortly afterwards, Bex discovers that the badly injured driver of the other vehicle was Jay’s brother, André. When the group meets the Floating Strides for a dance battle, Hartmann and Jay’s brother also turn up. Bex loses her nerve, and the friendly dance contest ends in a huge commotion and a loud argument. After that evening, however, Bex finally finds the time to work through her past and write André a letter. She takes it to him in person at the hospital, where she soon runs into Jay as well. At first, like his brother, he is hostile and leaves Bex standing outside the hospital without a word. Shortly afterwards, though, he visits Bex while she is picking up litter in the park, and the two make peace. The group refuses to accept Hartmann’s rejection and the closure of the rehabilitation program. First, they persuade Ava to speak to Hartmann in person and explain the group’s connection to the burned-out building on Bürknerstraße. She succeeds in getting the group admitted to the competition. With a performance featuring choreography the group rehearsed without Ava’s help, the street dancers win the competition.