Billy Elliot

2010 QUESTION
‘The experience of moving into the world can challenge individuals’ attitudes and beliefs.’
Discuss this view with reference to your prescribed text and at least ONE other related text of your own choosing.

Moving into the world is a transitional phase which is marked by many challenges such as an individuals’ attitudes and beliefs. It is the process of individuals adapting from one world of experience into another. ‘Billy Elliot’, a film directed by Stephen Daldry is a text which sends a message to the responder about venturing and transforming into new experiences. The film ‘Billy Elliot’ can challenge individuals’ attitudes and beliefs through the ideas of family values, gender stereotypes and determination as he leaves his monotonous life and discovers his passion and love for Ballet. These themes are conveyed through a number of film techniques such as camera angles, camera shots, music and lighting.

Gender stereotypes are beliefs or images concerning the social roles of both male and female, both domestically and socially. Gender stereotypes is a heavily influenced theme throughout the film Billy Elliot which is represented through film techniques such as costumes and lighting. The idea of gender stereotypes is shown throughout numerous ways such as playing masculine sports such as boxing if your male and playing feminine sports such as dancing if your female otherwise your gender stereotype would be known as a “poof”. Gender roles has been shown through a close up camera angle shot as Billy joins the Ballet class. This event challenges Billy’s attitudes through the close up camera angle of his boxing boots compared to the girls ballet shoes shows that he is out of place in this feminine role. An individuals beliefs can also be challenged through gender roles as males are expected to compete in masculine sport and females are to participate in feminine activities. This is clearly conveyed through the framing of the mid angle shot of the sign in the background of the display advertisement. The words “BOYS CLUB” showed in capitals on the display advertisement shows the comparison to the smaller display of the Ballet classes. This clearly identifies what the community of Durham values and the power over the community which therefore is males sports such as boxing over female activities such as dancing as they are extremely male dominated in Durham.

Family values are political and social beliefs that families strongly believe in. The idea of family values is clearly shown throughout the film, Billy Elliot through a vast range of film techniques such as different angled shots and camera angles. Throughout the film, Billy Elliot is challenged as an individual through his attitudes and beliefs through various scenes. Symbolism of the piano in his family’s household is a symbol towards Billy as it represents Billy’s memories with his mother which challenges his attitudes towards his behaviour. The piano symbolises Billy’s connection to his mother through the soft, mastaljic music in the background which is always played when Billy reflects his mother. The symbolism of the piano is juxtaposed with the violent setting of Durham which is a community in strife. The miner’s strike shows symbolism for Billy as he transitions into the world of ballet.

Social class is another specific idea which is used to challenge an individuals’ attitudes and beliefs throughout numerous film techniques. In one of the first opening shots of the film, Billy is shown as a loving and caring boy who looks after his grandma. A high angle shot has been conveyed as Billy runs to the backyard and grabs his grandma who suffers dementia which is juxtaposed with the police and riots in the background with violence and aggressiveness. The protestors in the background are extremely abusive and rough which reinforces the world and society that he is in. The full shot of his grandma stresses the world that they are living in. Another way in which social class has been identified through the experience of moving into the world is shown through dialogue of the profanity and aggressive behaviour displayed throughout the film. The various scenes where swearing has been used represents the socio economically disadvantaged society Billy belongs to where all individuals lack an education which makes them unable to articulate their emotions which is shown as they swear instead. The profanity in the film challenges Billy’s attitudes and beliefs as he is surrounded with an aggressive family which encourages him to behave in an inappropriate way.

Moving into the world has been clearly shown throughout the film Billy Elliot which has managed to challenge an individuals’ attitudes and beliefs through the ideas of gender roles/politics, family values and social class. These themes have been conveyed through a number of different film techniques such as different camera angles, various camera shots, music and lighting.