Billy Elliot (2000)
Billy Elliot is a 2000 film which was later adapted to the musical Billy Elliot the Musical. It stars a young boy called Billy Elliot, who has a passion in dancing and ballet, despite the society having negative thoughts on male ballet dancers. His father discourages Billy to become a dancer, but after seeing his talents, he helps Billy attain his dream.
Mise En Scene
1. Billy's room - set/costume colors
Billy's room has a dotted yellow wallpaper and yellow shelves all around. In the opening scenes, Billy also wears a yellow shirt bouncing on his bed in his room. The yellow strongly contrasts with the dark gloomy kitchen/living room just outside his room. This suggests that Billy is different from the other people from his family and other people from the society. This is then later proven in the film of his desire for being a ballet dancer, and his family disagreeing against it.
2. The argument between Mrs Wilkinson and Tony in the kitchen - character blocking/placing of characters
Tony (Billy's older brother) stands in front of the window, blocking some of the light, showing that he is dominant. Jackie (Billy's father) sits silently, he seems to have lost, not only his job, but control of the family. Grandma sits at the edges, part of the family but with no significance, showing that she is not very important, as shown by the "Shut Up"s from Tony. Mrs Wilkinson stands at the edges of this family near the kitchen door, showing she is not in control of the argument. Billy is behind the door, only his head peering around at the action – he is central to this scene but has no voice, when he does make a comment Tony commands him to "Shut up" immediately.
3. Outside the house
When Billy tries to run out of the house in frustration, he is surrounded by large tall brick walls around the house. He tries to climb over them, but has no luck. It suggests that he is trapped, not only from his family, but also from freedom. He does not get to do what he wants to be, which is to become a ballet dance. He cannot go anywhere, and has no hope.
2. The argument between Mrs Wilkinson and Tony in the kitchen - character blocking/placing of characters
Tony (Billy's older brother) stands in front of the window, blocking some of the light, showing that he is dominant. Jackie (Billy's father) sits silently, he seems to have lost, not only his job, but control of the family. Grandma sits at the edges, part of the family but with no significance, showing that she is not very important, as shown by the "Shut Up"s from Tony. Mrs Wilkinson stands at the edges of this family near the kitchen door, showing she is not in control of the argument. Billy is behind the door, only his head peering around at the action – he is central to this scene but has no voice, when he does make a comment Tony commands him to "Shut up" immediately.
3. Outside the house
When Billy tries to run out of the house in frustration, he is surrounded by large tall brick walls around the house. He tries to climb over them, but has no luck. It suggests that he is trapped, not only from his family, but also from freedom. He does not get to do what he wants to be, which is to become a ballet dance. He cannot go anywhere, and has no hope.
