Illustration of The Human Experience in Billy Eliot

The human experience entails inconsistences in human behaviour and motivation, which encompass a wide range of concepts about struggling through adversity and searching for an identity as individuals and as a collective society. This positions the responders to explore the world differently, challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or even having a personal reflection. Stephen Daldry creates meaning through these human experience concepts through his exploration of metaphysical challenges and their impact on human existence in his debut film, Billy Elliot, which recreates the holistic experience of a historic event in Northern England from 1984, “The Miners’ Strike”. The film utilises cinematic conventions to depict a personal experience that challenges the social and cultural assumptions behind traditional gender roles and the transition from adolescence to adulthood conveying the value of human experiences through the notion of bildungsroman.

Adversity is an obstacle that arises from the progression of an individual’s life, and when overcome will assist the individual in developing a better understanding of themselves and the desire for the world around them. In Billy’s journey to becoming a ballet dancer, Billy defies and challenges the discrimination of stereotypical gender roles and expectations from his family and working-class society. This challenge is presented in the scene where Billy dances to the song called “Town Called Malice”. A quick-shot captures the two supporting characters’ reactions, Tony and Jackie, depicts disgust and shock as they are discovering that Billy is learning to dance privately. In contrast, a close up of Billy’s facial expression is the polar opposite - being one of delightedness and joy. The visual techniques of using a quick shot and close-up captures the characters’ facial expressions, displaying their inner emotions and feelings on a physical medium for the audience to see. Furthermore, the contrast created between the characters demonstrates the state of conflict Billy experiences between wanting to pursue his passion for dancing but not conforming to the expectations of others. This also highlights the individual’s human experience of inconsistencies in human behaviour helping the viewers to having a personal reflection as they may once be in Billy’s position.

However, with perseverance and enthusiasm, Billy challenges societal expectations and rebels against the male stereotype by pursuing his passion for ballet. This is demonstrated in the final scene where he prepares to perform on stage. The use of an extreme close up shot of Billy’s face depicts his anxiety which are further emphasised through his heavy breathing and shaking legs, as he is finally able to perform for his father with his loving support. Moreover, as Billy enters the stage for his final leap, the dim lighting, slow motion and non-diegetic music are used. The slow tempo and harsh sound of the orchestra in the classical piece, “Swan Lake”, creates suspense while the slow motion, low angle shot of Billy leaping skilfully depicts his ability to finally overcome his adversity. This act highlights Billy’s sense of liberation and the final moment of triumph as he overcame his adversity. It also reveals Billy’s personal growth and transformation as he emerged into a defiant and confident individual despite being amidst family hardships and a distraught society caused by the miners’ strike. Billy’s personal transformation through opposition exemplifies the adversity aspect of the human experience on the individual level as he encountered, experienced and overcame an obstacle life had thrown at him. 

Furthermore, Daldry depicts the struggle with adversities as a collective experience evidenced with the event of the miners’ strike in 1984 in Northern England. It reflects the event when Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, announced the closure of Cortonwood Colliery in Yorkshire, leading to the loss of 20,000 jobs. This triggers the protests and can be seen at the picket line scene, where Daldry uses the high angle shot to capture the anger and irritation of the miners screaming “Scab! Scab!”. The effect of the diegetic sound and the panning of the camera helps the audience to gain an overall view of the strike and the atmosphere of frustration and outrage the throng of miners are feeling towards their government. However, Daldry covers the concept of struggling adversity and how to overcome it thoroughly in Billy Elliot as an individual and collective human experience for many to follow.

The search for identity is a personal human experience often found when an individual finds those whom they feel they can relate, connect and belong with. This is presented through Billy’s best friend, Michael who encounters the barriers created through his discovery of his own sexual identity. Initially, Michael is afraid to reveal his true self, due to living in a narrow-minded and strict community with extremely clear and distinct gender roles. It is living within this community that prevents Michael from learning and exploring his sexuality, which in turn hinders his ability to truly understand where he belongs in society. This is made apparent in the scene where Michael cross-dresses in the safety of his own home. As Michael opens the door for Billy, there is no camera movement, exemplifying the strict and stagnant community which is reluctant to change. Hence, this restricts Michael from expressing himself as he fears the strong reactions from the aggressive male-dominated community. This is further emphasised through a medium shot of Billy who cautiously looks around before going inside to ensure that no one has seen them since he knows that society would not approve of what they are doing, “What are you doing?!” stated Billy. Through the absence of lighting in the room, it highlights both Michael and Billy’s transition through their isolation from society to discover Michael’s sexuality. It is clearly apparent that the dress fits him perfectly which reveals his awakening sexuality and demonstrates the fact that he truly belongs in this dress and that he should accept and embrace his new identity.

Another defining identity journey is through Michael’s determination to freely express himself to overcome the societal pressures and conformity of defined gender roles. This is evident in the final scene when he attends Billy’s ballet performance. The use of a medium shot highlights Michael’s contentment and light blue eyes, which symbolises that he is finally at peace with himself as he is able to freely dresses and wear makeup, ignoring the opinions and judgement of others. When he says “Hey, it is me, Michael” symbolises how he is free to express himself towards Tony when they reunite. The shot also emphasises his interaction with another man, conveying that he has discovered his sexuality and is no longer afraid to hide it, ironically with the background music of “Swan Lake”, which emphasis how he is transitioning into his discovered individual identity. From this, it is apparent that Michael’s determination and courage through proceeding into an individual experience allowed him to cross stereotypical boundaries and overcome the expectations of his community.

Challenging societal assumptions is another human experience one may feel alone or as a collective if a particular socio-economic group or culture is stigmatized and ostracised within a society. This experience is captured vividly in the “Grocery store” scene where Jackie and Tony meet Tony’s old best mate which identifies as a “scab” for not joining the miners’ strike. The use of close up shot captures Tony’s facial expression highlights his anger and the transition to mid-shot to when Tony pushes the trolley away expresses his discrimination towards his friend. Also, the use of dialogue between the two families shouting and cursing at each other symbolises the two different identities in the society. This scene represents how Tony and Jackie reveal themselves as the representatives of the miners’ strike while Tony’s old mate represents himself as a “scab”, where both reflect the different collective identities that represents society by personal or political issues. A collective experience has been clearly provoked through this scene as the characters are going through the inconsistencies of a human behaviour in order of searching for an identity.   

In essence, the film Billy Elliot by Stephen Daldry illustrates the individual and collective human experience vividly and it is through the cinematic codes and conventions deployed by the director, that attract the audience’s attention and evokes empathy towards the characters plights and their stories. Struggling through adversity, pursuing dreams or searching for identities are the main phases that at any one of us would experience at least once throughout their life. This can also help us to witness ourselves grow, change and adapt to our own new self, the one that we are most confident the most like the characters in Billy Elliot.