Billy Elliot – Scene Analysis

Resource Description

BILLY ELLIOT (2000, STEPHEN DALDRY) – TRANSITION – THE DOOR MIROSLAV HOLUB 

Billy Elliot is a film set in an English town of Everington, England during the 1985 mining strikes. The film depicts a young boy facing the challenge of overcoming traditional gender stereotypes to pursue his love for ballet. Billy faces extreme adversity from his family and community that hold traditional values and beliefs. 

• Ballet class scene – 

Opens with Billy outside the boxing hall repetitively pushing the door, in the ring he is hesitant to fight

Techniques: 

Represents the beginning of his transition – beginning to progress into new world

Door represents a possible transition in regards to a world he is expected to be a part of

Diegetic sound of ballet music over the boxing scene shows impact music has on Billy and creates juxtaposition between expectations and desires 

Billy joins ballet class – low angle and close up shots create juxtaposition between the ballet/boxing shoes (represents alienation) 

This scene shows Billy’s own stereotypical views being challenged as he finds out ballet appeals to him

• Dad finds out scene – 

Billy’s father Jackie discovers Billy has been taking ballet classes. Altercation follows and his father makes comments alluding to ideas about the sexuality and masculinity regarding boys who dance.