Billy Elliot Notes Setting Billy Elliot is set in a small mining village of Country Durham, situated in north England. Its set during the times of Britain’s worst industrial dispute, with the coal miners. The film examines the relationships of the coal mining family struggling to come to terms with the impact of the strike. The strike has split the community into two sides. Billy comes from a strong mining and boxing orientated family. The miner’s conflict is the backdrop for Billy’s own conflicts in his household and in he’s head. Billy’s mother passed away who has resulted in his household being male dominated. The whole family is confused because the fathers isn’t sure of the outcome of the strike, while his brother Tony is almost certain of a win, and he’s grandmother barely known what going on.p Characters Billy Billy is the youngest in the household and is still coming to terms with the death of he’s mother and the expectations of becoming a man. He’s expected to fulfill the tradition of boxing and mining but he find a love in dance, as a form of expression himself. Dance is also a means of liberation and freedom for Billy. Billy has a inner strength to make his dream a reality, even though he wasn’t supported as a dancer in the beginning. He has a natural ability. Mrs Wilkinson She is trapped in her middle-class world, and she is in a loveless marriage to a man who cheated on her and spends his unemployed days drinking. She is important because she is the catalyst for Billy’s journey into the world. Her relationship with Billy progresses throughout the movie, as she treats him like an equal, and not a child. She takes on the nurturing role as she helps him fulfill his dreams to become a dancer. Although her attitude toward Billy changes by the end, her situation dosen’t, as she’s still trapped in her meaningless life and doesn’t even attend Billy’s first major performance. Jackie Is the patriarch of the family who holds onto traditional masculine values. He wants Billy to uphold the family tradition of boxing and mining and he results in violence as a result of frustration and built up anger as a result of the death of he’s wife and lack of employment. He is hurt to see that Billy wont uphold his family tradition but becomes a support network onces he realizes the talent Billy has, as a result of the ‘dance of defiance’. He ends up supporting Billy financially with his dream of being a dancer, even if it mean going back to work during the strike and selling his dead wife’s jewelry. On the night of Billy performance, we see Jacky stepping out into the new world, emotionally and physically. Tony Tony is facing the same hardships as the rest of the family, with the loss of his mother and the lack of unemployment. He is a loud, rude and obnoxious character who doesn’t mind saying what he thinks. He appears to be selfish and care only about hes world, not even listening to Jacky. as seen with his refusal to attend boxing and him dressing in women’s clothing. Michael doesn’t care about what others think of him. Billy and Michael are the two main characters who grew up. Jacky also grows up too. . riot squad. Scene Analysis Opening Scene Establishes Billy. Billy’s dream is become a professional dancer but his dream is met with opposition through society’s views on gender. Running is a continual motif – Billy’s running represents a need to escape. First sense of transitioning in the world of ballet. Introduces the problems in his life. He attends more ballet lessons and practices wherever he can (eg. Close up/fixed camera/slow motion – Billy jumping of the bed creates a sense of surrealism. He enjoys ballet more and more. Music represents Billys joy and freedom when dancing. Growing Up The film is based upon the story of Billy growing up amidst the hardship of the family and the miner’s strike on the community. to grow beyond the limitations of hes family and community. regardless of what everyone else thinks. Themes Dances Dance is a major theme as it’s a mean of self-expression for Billy but it also functions as a means of liberation. it told him to stay true to himself. Bathroom). Michael has already made his own journey into the world and help Billy realize that he should do all he can to fulfill his dream. as he learns how to deal with the death of his wife and raise his two boys. In Billy’s mothers letter that was left for Billy. which results in him being true to his passion whilst growing up. the idea that dancing is his form of escapism from his tough life. In accepting Billy’s passion for dance. Billy Dancing in the Bathroom/Dancing Montage Billy accepts dances as a hobby and takes it seriously. Repetition of ‘prepare’ and ‘go’ – indicates his passion developing and the amount of focus he has for his goal. a poor community. Michael His character functions to contrast the gender implications of the Billy Elliot character. It is only when Tony see the sacrifice Jacky makes for Billy’s dancing career by crossing the picket line. It is through dance that allows Billy to make his journey into the world. he develops a closer relationship with both his children. and hes morning routine. Close up/tracking shot – Billy running to find his gmother. does Tony become supportive of Billy’s dancing. and they both shared the socioeconomic problems caused by the miner’s strike and the communities ideological beliefs of what should do. his grandmother. In this scene we also see his emotional side as he cries with his father. Jacob. Close Up – On Billy faces when he sees his father enter the hall. indicating joy and a sense of improvement. from being truly free. . From whom? Myself. where she can truly belong. Wide angle/Long shot – Billy dancing down the street. a sense of proudness and determination. as during the novel she faces the difficulties of her Italian heritage and the expectations of that. and the word is referred to several times throughout the novel.” – IRONYShe realizes it was her own thoughts that were holding her back. The beauty is that I'm living to achieve mine. rather it was one that entailed a matrix of obstacles ranging from stereotypical preconceptions to social expectations that she had to overcome The fact that Josephine has never met her father and the expectations of the Italian community create a psychological barrier that encumbers her process of entering a new world. Close proximity suggests a confrontation. develops courage and dances in front of his father. Make your own. “You live with such freedom. "Relief because I was finally beginning to feel free. I'll run to be emancipated. where she can do what she wants without thought. Indicates a significant event is about to happen. “They stifle me with ridiculous rules and regulations … from Europe … Ill run one day … To be free … Not as an Australian and not as an Italian. Reoccurring theme. This however was not a smooth transition. which has impelled her to seek a new world to enter. She has trouble with her self-identity and just wants to break free into the world. Break away from those rules Josie. The horror is that he had to die to achieve his. "I remembered when we spoke about achieving our emancipation. Looking for Alibrandi Josephine is seemingly discontent with her lack of social status. Wilkinson."” – TONE (REFLECTIVE) – A lack of understanding of her Italian heritage results in Josie striving for freedom. Josephine.” – MOTIF – Main theme is the emancipation of Josie. Low angle shot/Mis en scene – when Jacky walks into the hall. Quotes “Looking For Alibrandi” – Title – Is a metaphor for the protagonist. I think. Dance of Defiance Bill accepts Michael homosexuality and teaches Michael the ballet moves that he learnt from Mrs. You live without religion and culture” Jacob: “It’s you who makes it (your life) difficult." – IRONY Josie realized that the only thing that was stopping her emancipation was herself. Billy feels guilty when his father walks into the hall but he overcomes his doubts.