Billy Elliot Transitions

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Experiences that pose challenges and are confronting for individuals provide a catalyst for growth. This growth brings new knowledge, shifts the individuals’ attitudes and beliefs, and therefore allows greater awareness of the self and others. This is evident throughout the film ‘Billy Elliot’, directed by Stephen Daldry, and released in 2000. Transitions are portrayed within the film through an extensive use of cinematic technique. These transitions provide many challenging and confronting experiences that provoke radical change in the lives of a number of characters specifically Billy and Jackie Elliot. Billy faces struggles in his entry into the world of ballet; and Jackie is forced to reassess his beliefs and morals. Jackie is an essential …show more content…

The cost of travelling to London for the audition is more than what Jackie can afford and so he is forced to abandon his beliefs in regards to the miners strike and return to work out of love for his son in order to “Give him a fucking chance”. Tony, not having the same recognition of Billy’s abilities, rushes in demanding, “what are you doing?” Jackie breaks down as the pressures of supporting Billy and maintaining his beliefs collide. A mid shot shows Jackie’s hands desperately grasping at Tony’s back during their embrace and reinforces the sacrifice he is making, and the effort he is exerting to overcome such deep seated beliefs. The panning shot of Tony and Jackie moving through the mounds of coal depicts the strain and tension involved with Jackie’s attempt to move forward. The two stumbling and struggling to move together is indicative of the weight of Jackie’s beliefs overpowering those of Tony as he is pushed backwards. Through these experiences Jackie grows to have an understanding of a world that was otherwise unfamiliar to him. His son alters his notions about gender stereotypes and this gives Jackie the ability to accept him. Jackie, through this acceptance of his son, opens up the pleasures that accompany the creative arts. Having a son who is so heavily involved exposes him to the creative aspects of

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