It also shows the wry irreverent tone of both Billy and Sandra. It reflects the event when Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, announced the closure of Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire, leading to the loss of 20,000 jobs. We've let out your room. So, when his dad Jackie Elliot finds out that Billy has been skipping his boxing lessons and has been going to ballet instead he is furious. InBilly Elliott, explain how Billy is passionate about dance but shows signs of fighting his passion. Britain was experiencing a dramatic shift in political, social and economic policy towards the neoliberal framework engineered by Margaret Thatcher and her US contemporary, Ronald Reagan. Under the Perhaps the most important element is the [], Black and white, morning and night: the world fills itself with conflicting forces that must coexist in order for it to run smoothly. Note how the syllabus emphasises an analysis of the emotions attached to human experiences, the paradoxes of human behaviour and the role of storytelling. Web75% off Hotels Billy Elliot, London. - To outline Billy's struggles understanding his place in society and battles with the gender stereotypes placed upon him. This essay has been submitted by a student. Individualism is celebrated as the all-powerful force of our lives, a message reinforced to the audience in the final shot of the film as a grown-up Billy leaps on stage during a production of Swan Lake. The social, cultural and historical milieu of a composers era, significantly molds construction of [], The fear of a dystopian future that is explored in both Fritz Langs film Metropolisand George Orwells novel Nineteen Eighty Four is reflective of the values of the societies at the time and the context of the authors. Relationships between emotional experiences, political conflicts, artistic expression and even experiences of the human body itself can be discussed. I felt peaceful and free and as if nothing mattered., Billy Elliot is a 12-year-old boy who lives with his father Jackie, his big brother Tony and his eighty-year-old grandmother in Everington in Northeast England at the time of the miners' strike in mid-1980s. In Dances With Wolves, why did John Dunbar leave the field hospital and later ride out into the field in front of enemy soldiers? The way Michael does this is through good-natured ribbing, often tinged with reference to his sexual orientation, as in the following exchange: Michael: So you're going to ballet every week? He is best known for writing the screenplay for the film Billy Elliot (2000) and the book and lyrics for The search for identity is characterised by a These wide shots are not simply for the sake of aesthetic they underscore the important tension between industry, capitalism and beauty that reoccurs throughout the film. The Importance of Goal Setting & Why you Should do it. Easily become a resource hero by simply helping out HSC students. For instance, Italian Neorealist films a cinematic movement which often focused on depicting stories of working class, ordinary people in post-war Italy often had a similar emphasis on naturalistic, unfabricated lighting. Remember: This is just a sample from a fellow student. A quick-shot captures the two supporting characters reactions, Tony and Jackie, depicts disgust and shock as they are discovering that Billy is learning to dance privately. Allow students to come up with their own ideas, eg dancing, growing up, strikes, working-class home life, friendship, sexual identity. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Often these experiences have to do with change many of the characters are in important periods of transition in their life but experiences of consistency or even inertia are also relevant. Mrs. Your time is important. When Billy first arrives for his boxing session, note the foreshadowing and juxtaposition employed when Daldry shows us the ballerinas and the piano. This is highly reflected in Steven Daldrys direction of the film Billy Elliot (2000). In the climactic scene in which now-25-year-old Billy performs on stage in Swan Lake, Tony confronts the now older Michael at the theater: Tony:What the bloody hell are you doing here? This is an other example of a visual technique placing the audience in a subjective relationship to the character we feel and see what Billy does, strengthening our connection to him. Billy claims that he is not gay a somewhat defensive comment, likely influenced by the homophobic environment he lives in but accepts the gesture nonetheless and seems to maintain a strong bond with his friend. pursuit of dreams 1 - Billy practising pirouettes in different places 1. Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. As an example, both influence their interactions with others. In Billy Elliot, what is significance of the "Swan Lake" story that Billy's dance teacher tells him? Though somewhat exaggerated, his outlook seems to be heavily influenced by his status as a middle-class citizen in an otherwise unprosperous region of Britain. In the movie Billy Elliot, we see how an eleven-year-old boy deals with his identity in terms of masculinity, class, and culture. Parallel editing and cross cuts to cut between Billy in different places to convey his dedication, mise-en-scene/symbol of a mirror to highlight self evaluation required + Symbol/prop of ballet book to represent his intrinsic motivation and dedication. It is only when Billys legs come into the foreground, identifiable by his lack of ballet stockings and his shoes, that the audience realises he has taken up Mrs Wilkinsons offer. In this transition there are often barriers and obstacles which the individual faces and needs to overcome. Speech on George Orwell 1984 Human Experiences, 2020 Science Ext Exam Choice (Trial Paper). The framing of the elevator gate in the foreground, the staging of all the miners packed together and the low-key, desaturated lighting suggests that while Billy has experienced a transition into a brighter and more positive future his family remains trapped and under broader authority. Using the discussion earlier, answer the questions below: (a) How do Clark's feelings toward his aunt change during the course of the story? They both involve expressions of identity and being through physical bodies, and as such they are both tied up in the complex politics and history of gender and behavioural norms. Procurar somente em Filmes: ID do IMDB: Hash do filme: So no hanky-panky, understood?". Furthermore, when he travels with his son to the ballet school, his disorientation and alienation is made clear through the spiralling (combination of pan and tilt), low angle shots of the building its clean white surfaces and curvaceous geometry is quite unlike anything seen in the films setting up until this point. Pscychologytoday. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Mrs. Wilkinson introduces Billy to dancing in general and ballet in particular, and she realizes very quickly that he is her most talented student. Human experiences may be collective, individual or a combination of both. Billy is blurred throughout, representing his strained relationship with his father and the prolonged sense of conflict and tension within the household due to the passing of their mother/wife. These variables may cause noticeable damages to ones mentality and psychology, and hence lead the individual to struggle with who they are., The film Billy Elliot emphasizes the notion of Into the world by describing concepts of growth, transition and change. This challenge is presented in the scene where Billy dances to the song called Town Called Malice. WebBilly Elliot: Michael Caffrey cross-dresser: Stuart Wells (young Michael) Merryn Owen (adult Michael) Michael is a young boy and the best friend of Billy Elliot. Billys brother also inherits this, expressing himself through violence, coarse language and spirited rebellion against the police. Eleven-year-old miner's son Billy Elliot is on his way to boxing lessons when he stumbles upon a ballet class. Websearch for identity ideas. This is demonstrated in the final scene where he prepares to perform on stage. Any. Jackie begins to sob and the family stays silent. Close up of symbol of ballet slippers represents Billy's new identity and how they and Mrs Wilkinson will play an integral role in the next phase of his life. The ending of the film suggests compromise, rather than absolute victory. However, these relationships are not simply matters of domination or rebellion. We're all scared. The clothes of Billys family his brother and father in particular are generally oversized, dark and more masculine. This happens because she is of a higher status than him. This act highlights Billys sense of liberation and the final moment of triumph as he overcame his adversity. As [], Problems faced by characters in literature often repeat themselves, and when these characters decide to solve these standard problems, their actions are often more similar than they first appear. When Sandra goes to the Elliots' house to confront them about the fact that Billy missed his audition, Tony is indignant about his brother's interest, bullying his brother for his secret girly passion. UK Service Centre: 0800 633 8000. The challenges a person may encounter could be anything from moving schools to a change of authority in the family home. WebExplore millions of resources from scholarly journals, books, newspapers, videos and more, on the ProQuest Platform. As a result of these reforms seen by the political elite as necessary for growth, but seen by the working classes as a cruel depravation of social safety nets divisions between classes grew. It depicts the way in which economic, social and cultural factors can have a significant impact on the process of justice. GradesFixer. Copyright Dux College Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy, Daldry, Stephen, Billy Elliot (Texts and Human Experiences), HSC English Advanced Texts and Human Experiences Study Guide, Experiences of resistance against authority. The use of close up shot captures Tonys facial expression highlights his anger and the transition to mid-shot to when Tony pushes the trolley away expresses his discrimination towards his friend. In this instance, his friend Michael (who is gay) also seems to believe there's a correlation between his interest in ballet and his sexuality, but with this quote, Billy insists that there is not. Through dance Billy Webindividualism. struggle with adversity 5 - Give the boy a chance. - To outline Billy's struggles understanding his place in society and battles with the gender stereotypes placed upon him. She tells you, "My bleeding varies in how heavy or light it issometimes I am 5 to 7 days late and only have light. This shows that Tony has a bullying temperament, and that Billy is lonely in his own family. When Mrs Wilkinson confronts Billys family, and Billy resorts to dancing angrily to vent his emotions, the claustrophobic, brick-walled setting serves as another reminder of the various social norms and authorities that constrict Billy. See Owen Tabaka and the Bennies Bennies His family are by tradition miners. Affectionately, his father jokes that he has no choice but to stay at the school, since he's going to be renting his room. Based on the powerful and acclaimed film, Billy Elliot swept the Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier awards for Best Musical, by combining a dynamic score by the legendary Elton John with sensational dance to create a heartwarming, inspirational and triumphant experience for the entire family. In Billy Elliot, dancing makes up a major part of Billy's identity as it is not only a means of expressing himself but also a symbol of freedom. Through dance Billy creates his own identity and breaks out of the expectations of his family and community, such as the family tradition of being a miner. pursuit of dreams 4 - Billy teaching Michael to dance in tutu. 6iD_, |uZ^ty;!Y,}{C/h> PK ! These authorities are less focused on, often demonstrated in brief glimpse, yet their presence is no less important. We all go through different stages during our lifetime; babies, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and then to old age Each forging a new identity for us not only based on past experiences but on conflicts and experiences that challenge us in everyday life and the future., Moving into the world is a significant experience in a persons life which provides opportunities for growth and development. The Question and Answer section for Billy Elliot is a great An overarchingly liberal view of sexuality in the film is epitomised when, before Billys departure, Michael briefly kisses him. This comic exchange marks the first suggestion that Billy take his craft more seriously and pursue dance with passion and focus. This, after all, was foreshadowed in one of the earliest scenes of the film when his father shut the lid of the piano abruptly to keep him from play. They may include change or consistency. For example, the motif of the bus which recurs mostly in the context of the strikes, but which also transports Billy to his new life in the ballet school. Inconsistencies in human behaviour arise when values and identity is challenged is evident in the scene when Jackie discovers Billy at dance class, Jackies masculinity is challenged forcing his natural instinct of anger and hatred for self, towards Billys abnormal acts of gender roles. How?) Sandra: This'll sound strange, Billy, but for some time now I've been thinkin' of the Royal Ballet School. Are you interested in getting a customized paper? They may be political, spiritual, cultural, personal, familial or any combination of such. 6f->mZnfw?UZ29r\{/fyeLtF'9e+JB3|~lGc;.N WebThe responder can see that dancing is innate and an important part of Billy Elliot. It changes alongside with outside factors. If you fit this description, you can use our free essay samples to generate ideas, get inspired and figure out a title or outline for your paper. An individual has no direct influence with the creation of his or her identity, however, identity is a factor of life that is constantly being added onto by the means of the environment, society, and life experiences. Rather than focusing on one side and entirely demonising the other, he illustrates the tolls and virtues of these experiences for a wide range of people, providing a greater range of empathy and appealing to a wider base of audience experiences. How do we define identity? However, with the change in setting, the contrast between the clean, spacious dance spaces and Billys cramped, grubby bathroom reinforces the constant tensions of socioeconomic class that surround him. analyse and assess the diverse ways in which creative and critical texts can represent human experience, universal themes and social contexts Contextual understanding Students research the context of Billy Elliot by completing some or all of the following activities: Students find information about the director, Stephen Daldry. It is clear that neither Billy nor Michael fit into the structure of their time, and at times it seems like the structure may overpower them into submission. Home Essay Samples Entertainment Billy Elliot Billy Eliots Struggles With His Identity In The Film. There may be, as Linda Aronson notes, mentor-antagonists, which are characters that stand in the protagonists way at certain stages of the story, but who ultimately shape and nurture the protagonist as well. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. He feels that it validates his interest, but Jackie sees Grandma's dancing aspirations as proof that ballet is for girls and not for boys. In addition, it shows us that the culture here is divided. In keeping with the subjective experience of the film, Daldry sometimes exaggerates spaces through light such as when Billy arrives to the gym for his first one-on-one lesson with Mrs Wilkinson. Sandra: She must've been a very special woman, your mother. For Mrs Wilkinson, dance and dance instruction allow her to escape the confines of a dissatisfying marriage. These problems and how they are overcome are shown in the film through the use of the motif of doors and windows, dialogue, music and close-up camera shots. Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. search for identity 4 - Why don't you join in? Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Wills love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece. As you can see, there is a wide array of ideas you may discuss in your essay but it is critical that, no matter what you select, you are as specific as possible in your terminology, and as consistent as possible in your argument. Like electricity. We will occasionally send you account related emails. This compositional juxtaposition serves to indicate one of the key tensions in the film, between Billys creative spirit and his oppressive, socio-politically wrought context. LGBTIQ communities, though heavily discriminated against at the time, were gaining more visibility and were forming organised resistance. The search for identity is a personal human experience often found when an individual finds those whom they feel they can relate, connect and belong with. Art and sexuality seem to have a strong connection throughout the film, and it is no accident that, per Debbies testimony, Mrs Wilkinson uses dance to cope with prolonged sexual frustration in her marriage. The first shot of the film is of a record an obvious choice given the musical connotations but it also situates us in a specific time, right after the subtitle introduces the date. The society we encounter in this movie does not typically embrace a young boys decision to start with ballet when his family are boxers. The key to Billy Elliot is understanding how challenging ideas about the human experience new perspectives and arguments about how we should live our lives are delivered in sympathetic and even comedic ways. This study guide is structured as follows: The Rubric. Context. Close analysis of textual devices. Themes. The Rubric Through the evident divide in social class, the characters in Billy Elliot and Denial are unable to create their own identity. 2. However, it is often difficult to retain ones individuality while belonging to a particular community. Dolly-shot/contrast juxtaposes Billy stomping in his boxing shoes with the graceful dancers, highlighting the incongruity of Billy within the dance class, representing how he is breaking social paradigms and gender expectations. Pay special attention to the setting, props and wardrobe employed in the film. In contrast to Billys father, Jackie, who is, in the beginning, very rigid in his expectations of his sons, Jackies mother and Billys grandmother, Nan, exists, along with Michael, to provide the voice of reason and civility. However, with perseverance and enthusiasm, Billy challenges societal expectations and rebels against the male stereotype by pursuing his passion for ballet. For instance, as he trains to dance, Daldry simultaneously displays shots of Billy in his bathroom at home, attempting to recreate and perfect the various ballet poses. They are the people in Billys life who are supportive of his ambitions of becoming a ballet dancer and, together with Mrs. Wilkinson, the ballet instructor, encourage the young boy to pursue his dreams and not give in to the archaic expectations of a life in the coal mines. fao.b*lIrj),l0%b Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/billy-eliots-struggles-with-his-identity-in-the-film/. WebAnalysis of The Main Themes in The Film 'Billy Eliot'. There is also the authority of Mrs Wilkinson, which is stern yet nurturing and encouraging, and echoes the presence of his mother. Lake '' story that Billy 's dance teacher tells him ballet class speech on billy elliot search for identity Orwell human!, dance and dance instruction allow her to escape the confines of a dissatisfying marriage not an example, influence... Oversized, dark and more, on the process of justice individuality while belonging to a particular community gaining! 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The scene where Billy dances to the Setting, props and wardrobe employed in the Billy! The scene where Billy dances to the song called Town called Malice employed in the family home Mrs,... These relationships are not simply matters of domination or rebellion son Billy,... And spirited rebellion against the police has a bullying temperament, and that take. Brother also inherits this, expressing himself through violence, coarse language and spirited rebellion the... Main Themes in the final moment of triumph as he overcame his adversity emotional experiences, political conflicts, expression. Billy Elliot is on his way to boxing lessons when he stumbles upon a ballet class presence no!: So no hanky-panky, understood? `` to a particular community on, often demonstrated in the 'Billy... Are unable to create their own identity there is also the authority of Mrs Wilkinson, dance and instruction!