Moving into the world requires one to rise above their circumstances and embrace the support of others

Entering into a new world can be daunting and quite intimidating for an individual. Barriers and obstacles often prevent the smooth transition whilst moving into the world. However, with self-determination and the support of others it can potentially lead to a positive outcome. Stephan Daldrys film Billy Elliot (2000) explores these notions and highlights the importance of rising above circumstances and embracing the support of others by enduring such experiences in order to succeed in the transition of moving into the world. The film reveals how individual determination and strength is often required to transition from one world to another, also exploring the idea of how transitioning into another world can be daunting and unexpected for the individual whom is making the change and that everyone's world is different and needs to be accepted.

Firstly the film explores the notion of how individual determination and strength is often required to transition from one world to another, this idea is reflected throughout the 'private lessons and rising tensions' scene. In this particular scene billy and his ballet teacher Mrs Wilkinson are both equally committed, consistent and also remain perseverant regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves. We see that Billy embraces the support of others and in turn, is on the road to potential success. As billy enters the hall, a high angle shot of him is used representing his powerless emotion. The shot reveals vulnerable billy, as he has not yet embraced the support he has been given. Also soft, mysterious music begins to play in the background, as the lights dim. This signifies Billy's secret hope and yearning of support from his family and society, not only his ballet teacher. The dimming of the light symbolises that something is hindering billy from moving into the world. The close up shot of "always be yourself" written in Billy's mothers letter, is effective. Gentle piano music is heard as the letter is being read, emphasising how this strong connection to his mother is a fundamental source of support or advice for him to move into the world. Furthermore, the scene is intercut/cuts to Billy who is woken up by his brother Tony, leaving the house at 4am, to vandalise and uproar against the government/police. Dramatic, intense music takes over the background noise whilst furious and heated tension builds as tony and father Jackie argue of the strike. The expletives in the dialogue "since man died you're nothing but a useless twat" emphasises Tony’s sourness and anger. The camera quickly cuts to a medium shot of Billy, who looks ashamed and frightened of his family, whilst yelling, "stop it". The intercutting of the Billy's dialogue is symbolic as the audience is reminded of the aggressive and tense world billy is part if. The choice of 'stop it' is significant as we see Billy's strong desire to rise above circumstances and move into the world with strength and support of others is required to transition from one world to another.

Transitioning into another world can be daunting and unexpected for the individual whom is making the change. Therefore this requires the individual to take risks by rising above their circumstances and embracing support; which could potentially lead to a positive consequence. This notion is evident throughout the scene 'dads decision.' Jackie makes his final decision about billy doing ballet. The audience is made aware that Billy and Michael are about to be caught as piano music begins to play and builds suspense and tension. A close up shot of Jackie is made, when he experiences his son dancing. It places emphasis upon his shock as though he cannot believe what he has just seen. Billy's determination is stressed when the camera cuts to billy immediately as he proceeds to preform his audition routine in front of his dad. Billy takes this opportunity to rise above circumstances even though it is quite daunting. As Jackie continues to watch billy dance a series of subjective POV shots are made. While billy dances the music reaches a crescendo; a wide shot is taken, which emphasis the intensity of the scene. Billy anxiously waits for his dad and a close up of his facial expression stresses his anxiety. Unexpectedly Jackie walks out of the hall and says, "Go home, son". Billy's confusion is shown in the close up shot. Jackie swallows his pride; he endures the utter humiliation of compromising his integrity and everything he's ever fought for to give billy a chance. He is allowing billy to enter the world of ballet regardless of his own circumstances. As tony and Jackie converse deeply a series of close up shots reveal on their faces how they’ve realised it is imperative for billy to do ballet. Throughout their conversation tony convinces his father Jackie not to go back to the mines, Jackie hesitantly replies back “its for wee billy, he might be a fucking genius for all we know” this scene is quite poignant. As Jackie physically supports his father we can see how promising his face is by the close up shot that has been made. Tony and Jackie have forgotten their difficult circumstances and thought beyond themselves for once. This action was unexpected from Jackie and Tony. This is also a challenging time for Billy, as they’re in the process of accepting Billy’s transition into the world of ballet.

Everyone’s world is different and needs to be accepted. This requires the individual to take risks that lead to consequences and is perceived through the scene ‘learning the steps’. Billy secretly attends ballet classes at the risk of being discovered by Jackie. Billy feels daunted, intimidated and outnumbered about the new world of ballet. A high angle shot is taken when billy glances up at the ballerinas from underneath the staircase; this shot stresses these emotions. Cuts between Billy and Mrs Wilkinson are seen, whilst billy is determined to perfect his pirouette. He accepts that his world is different whilst he tries to perfect it in the mirror. This shows Billy’s relentless pursuit for determination into a new world regardless of his circumstances. Voice over of Mrs Wilkinson cuts between billy practising in the bathroom and in the ballet class. Portraying billy’s strong perseverance to succeed in the new world of ballet. Mr Braithwaite rudely says, “You look like a right wanker to me son” a reminder to billy that his world has not yet been accepted. Billy’s triumph is short lived. Billy is reminded that his father would say exactly the same thing. Yet he accepts his circumstances and carelessly carries on learning the steps. A series of intercut shots have been made which convey Billy’s drive. As he practices in secret and every spare moment he has, even though he knows his family wont approve. This is evident throughout the series of mid and close up shots of billy gallivanting home from his ballet class; combined with the loud orchestral music that plays in the background emphasising billy’s excitement and enthusiasm towards Ballet. Thus Billy’s transition into the new world of ballet will be daunting, his world has been accepted by Mrs Wilkinson; even though certain barriers and obstacles will challenge Billy’s circumstances.

Conclusion:

Ultimately Daldry has presented a character with strong determination and tenacity that utilizes these qualities to gain a sense of maturity. Billy is further portrayed to evidently accept the support offered to him and exposes him self to a new world, disregarding his feelings of unease. Daldry also comments upon differing worlds of individuals, which must be accepted in order to successfully transition into the world.