English Belonging Speech
The concept of belonging and acceptance is a major part of our modern society. Most stories and films represent belonging or alienation in one way or another. Strictly Ballroom, directed by Baz Luhrmann represents the concept of acceptance and rejection through the use of many film and language techniques.
There are many concepts of belonging shown in the film Strictly Ballroom. This is shown through several film techniques like role of the characters, costumes, make-up, hair, music and camera angles.
Luhrmann decided to use Liz’s costumes and make-up to present the dancing world as having power, whereas the character of Fran, shown in plain clothes and reading glasses, is initially shown as powerless, because she does not belong to the ballroom world. Scott’s make up in the movie is very natural. This relates to his dance which is very real and emphasises on the point of him not belonging to the fake dance federation world.
Music is used effectively in the movie to show the sense of belonging .In the scene “Paso Doble at the Toledo Milkbar” – music is much more natural and spontaneous. This shows that Scott has started to belong to Fran and his dance has more emotions in it.
Use of camera angles was done in a scene where a close-up image of Liz’s face, her bright, over-the-top makeup and styled hair, is followed immediately with an identical close-up of Fran’s simple, plain face. This shows the obvious dissimilarity between the two characters, and emphasises Fran’s alienation from the ballroom world.
The last scene of the movie were the camera zooms out to show the whole room dancing together shows that everyone now belongs to the free and happy world as a whole
The novel Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography written by author Adeline Yen Mah, which describes her experiences growing up in China during the second world war, and her story of being an unwanted daughter. This novel conveys a sense of not belonging as Adeline does not feel accepted within
There are many concepts of belonging shown in the film Strictly Ballroom. This is shown through several film techniques like role of the characters, costumes, make-up, hair, music and camera angles.
Luhrmann decided to use Liz’s costumes and make-up to present the dancing world as having power, whereas the character of Fran, shown in plain clothes and reading glasses, is initially shown as powerless, because she does not belong to the ballroom world. Scott’s make up in the movie is very natural. This relates to his dance which is very real and emphasises on the point of him not belonging to the fake dance federation world.
Music is used effectively in the movie to show the sense of belonging .In the scene “Paso Doble at the Toledo Milkbar” – music is much more natural and spontaneous. This shows that Scott has started to belong to Fran and his dance has more emotions in it.
Use of camera angles was done in a scene where a close-up image of Liz’s face, her bright, over-the-top makeup and styled hair, is followed immediately with an identical close-up of Fran’s simple, plain face. This shows the obvious dissimilarity between the two characters, and emphasises Fran’s alienation from the ballroom world.
The last scene of the movie were the camera zooms out to show the whole room dancing together shows that everyone now belongs to the free and happy world as a whole
The novel Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography written by author Adeline Yen Mah, which describes her experiences growing up in China during the second world war, and her story of being an unwanted daughter. This novel conveys a sense of not belonging as Adeline does not feel accepted within