Director: Stephen Daldry

Billy Elliot

110 Minutes; 2000 Director: Stephen Daldry Writer: Lee Hall Actors: Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot), Julie Walters, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis

“Inside of every one of us is a special talent waiting to come out. The trick is finding it.” For Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), Durham, England in 1984 is a bleak place to live, a union town suffering from a major coal mining strike. At only eleven years old, Billy knows the pain of losing his mother to death, living with an emotionally distant father that too easily expresses rage, and caring for his grandmother who is suffering from senility. Even with such circumstances, Billy has a spirit that defies his depressing surroundings with a strong love for music and expression through dance. While taking boxing classes at a local youth club, Billy’s attention is drawn to a girl’s ballet class practicing at the other end of the building. Billy is intrigued by this and removes himself from boxing to go check out dancing. The ballet instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters), invites Billy to participate in the exercises. Billy accepts her challenge and surprises her with his determination and potential. Knowing that Billy’s father and brother would never approve of his participation in such a "poof" (English slang for homosexual) pastime, Billy and Mrs. Wilkinson agree to carry on the lessons secretly. By dancing Billy is able to express all of the sadness, rage and joy that have been locked inside of him. When talents provide the opportunity to win a scholarship at a prestigious dance school, Billy has to face and fight the prejudice of his family and town to pursue his dream. This movie is about conflict, love, and priorities. It’s sort of like real life.

FOCUS…

1. This movie centers on conflict. Billy’s dad and his brother Tony are in conflict over the coal miners’ strike. Billy is in conflict with his family over his desire to dance and the “poof” image that goes with it. In the context of life and priorities, how are these conflicts resolved?

2. Describe the “I Love to Boogie” scene where Billy is dancing with Mrs. Wilkinson, Tony is dancing in his room, and grandma is trying to dance. Explain the symbolism…why it is significant to the film.

3. The message of this film is that “Inside of every one of us is a special talent waiting to come out. The trick is finding it.” The film is supposed to be an inspiration for you to pursue your dreams. Does Daldry (the director) succeed in getting his message across? Explain.