Billy Elliot Transition

Exploring Transitions

Individuals journeying into new experiences are often clouded with preformed expectations of future outcomes. However, through the triumph of confronting personal and social challenges, one is able to gain rewards, much greater than their desired results. The film “Billy Elliot” directed by Stephen Daldry explores the importance of having support and a receptive mindset for when individuals embark on difficult periods in life to achieve their ambitions. Comparatively, the poem “Naked Girl and Mirror” written by Judith Wright expresses the value of understanding change in order to embrace opportunities from the inevitable natural stages of life. Ultimately, both texts explore transitions through young adolescence and affirms
The understanding gained that presumptions are barriers that restrict new opportunities, results to the persistence will to break down these judgments in order to pursue goals and develop as an individual. This is evident midway through the film “Billy Elliot’ directed by Stephen Daldry, through the character Billy when he was determined to exhibit his ballet skills to his reproachful father who was stopping him from moving forward. The use of diegetic music connects the audience to the realism of Billy’s persistency to get his point across to his father. The fast tempo of the drums and violin symbolises a building of excitement which reflects how dancing makes Billy feel free and brings a rush of thrill in him. However, there is a sense of urgency with the fast pace suggesting Billy’s inclining wish for his antagonistic father to allow him to continue on with his dream of dancing ballet. Moreover, the rising volume of the music represents Billy’s insular world where the community he lived in could not see beyond the mining world but Billy wanted more, something significant and bigger. The town was a limitation for his own growth for opportunities for success in life. The loudness of the music was a symbolism of Billy’s large dreams that could not be contained in a small place, which was the village. However, furthering into the final scene of the film
The revelation of an individuals true identity is a daunting act without a sense of support but when succeeded it will bring a return that is untouchable. This is evident midway through the film ‘Billy Elliot’ in the character Michael when he comfortably dresses up in drag in front of Billy only. Daldry’s uses mise en scene to highlight to the audience Michael’s casualness with his surrounding and him self. The use of the mirror is purposeful for its reflection of whats on the other side and in the framing it foreshadows the real Michael within the mirror. It further symbolises that he is trapped within himself in a conceptual sense because living in a rural town that is stagnant means there are traditional gender roles which restricts and imitates Michael, so he conceals who he really is. Although the only support he has is from Billy, it is the start of Michael being open with himself. Also, by his back positioned to face the audience reveals that we only see a part of him, underlining that there is another part that we don’t really know about. This is because Michael knew the consequences if he showed his true characters, due to living in a place that defined everyone by stereotypes and being different was seen as unorthodox. Furthering into the final scene of the film, it is perceptible of Michael’s growth as a