The sight of Billy dancing in the streets with the ocean in the background and framed on either side by rows of houses is spectacularly lyrical. The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas through the editing is dynamic вЂ“ scenes of dancing parallel cut with riots. Notice the wallpaper in BillyвЂ™s house, the color of the kitchen. ThereвЂ™s a fable like quality to the proceedings mixed in with earthiness. His work in this film is jaunty вЂ“ matching the resilience and spirit of Billy. Prior to helming this film, he was a celebrated theatre director. Stephen was nominated for the Oscar for best director for вЂњBilly Elliot.вЂќ It was followed by two other nods for his subsequent work in вЂњThe HoursвЂќ (2012) and вЂњThe ReaderвЂќ (2008.). It is through dancing that Billy finds his identity. Her daughter Debbie tells him that вЂњsheвЂ™s unfulfilled вЂ“ thatвЂ™s why she does dancing!вЂќ BillyвЂ™s father has to deal with his old-fashioned views about masculinity, his feelings of inadequacy about raising a child without his mom and the strike. Wilkinson, BillyвЂ™s potential is a way for her to overcome her own frustration. In dancing Billy has a way to channel all his vexation and heartache. She believes heвЂ™s good enough to audition for the Royal School Ballet. Wilkinson sees great potential in Billy and continues tutoring him. His dad finds out heвЂ™s been taking ballet classes instead of boxing and forbids him to continue. Billy fully supports him without judgement, but matter-of-factly tells him, вЂњjust because I like ballet doesnвЂ™t mean IвЂ™m a poof, you know.вЂќ In the meantime, the strike is causing a strain on the town as well as his family. He spends time with his best friend Michael who also feels like an outcast вЂ“ and who is starting to understand heвЂ™s a homosexual. Wilkinson tempts him.Д«illyвЂ™s mother died when he was young вЂ“ and thereвЂ™s grief he hasnвЂ™t worked out.

Forced to stay and practice on the punching bag, he finds himself enticed to join in the ballet class. Billy is fascinated by the dancing and the music. Wilkinson brings her class to use a section of the gym because her space is being used as a soup kitchen for the strikers. HeвЂ™s expected to take boxing lessons after school at the Everington Boys Club, a fact he doesnвЂ™t enjoy for he always gets beaten up. Billy looks after his grandmother whoвЂ™s suffering with AlzheimerвЂ™s. His widowed dad and brother Tony are on strike against the coal mine, and the policeвЂ™s presence in riot gear is felt throughout the town. ItвЂ™s a wondrous film, warm вЂ“ funny and uplifting вЂ“ a terrific valentine to those in our lives who encouraged us along the way to be ourselves.Д«illy likes to borrow his brotherвЂ™s records and jump up and down on his bed вЂ“ expressing himself. Thinking about all of this, I understood I needed to revisit вЂњBilly ElliotвЂќ (2000) вЂ“ Stephen DaldryвЂ™s auspicious film debut вЂ“ about an eleven year-old in County Durham, in the northeast of England, who discovers a need for dancing. He proved to be most enthusiastic about my possibilities вЂ“ and believed in me long before I started to do so. I was also fortunate to find that special tutor at the Peddie School вЂ“ Jeffrey Holcombe вЂ“ whom all of us pursuing the arts should be lucky to find. I was reminiscing about growing up in Panama and being consumed by movies вЂ“ and how my dad вЂ“ who was a lawyer, and I guess heвЂ™d wished IвЂ™d followed in his footsteps вЂ“ found it in himself the generosity to encourage my pursuit. Yeah, like electricity.вЂќДЄ couple of days ago, IвЂ™d been thinking about my own journey as a young kid discovering the arts вЂ“ and how eventually I found my own voice. Sorta stiff and that, but once I get goingвЂ¦ then I like, forget everything. Tutor: вЂњWhat does it feel like when youвЂ™re dancing?вЂќД«illy: вЂњDonвЂ™t know.

Billy elliot dancer