[Phenomenology] Short Writes #1

The Discovery of "Acceptance" in the Movie Billy Elliot

A pair of jumping feet--is the main image the director wants to deliver through out this movie.

From the opening of the movie, little Billy keeps jumping. He jumps not only because he is happy, but also because he want to jump outside of the narrow, oppressive home space, to jump out and find a space that really belongs to him, a space of joy and success.

He is arranged to learn how to play boxing by his father. Just as other fathers in the working class, having a son who is good to box promise a brighter future, which may solve the financial problems in the family. Therefore, when little Billy is practicing boxing, the father always accompany with him. Watch how he punch against his opponent. However, little Billy never done a good job for boxing, his hear is always attached to the other side of the room, where the ballet class take place.

He can't control his growing desires. After the practice, he always sneaks to the ballet room, and clumsily imitates basic steps with other girls. Few days later, the coach asks him: "Why don't you join us?" This is the first level of the acceptance in this movie, presented in a verbal form. 

Thus we can see boxing shoes dance with ballet shoes. It may be a little weird. But boxing shoes are trying hard to keep up with other ballet shoes.

One day, the coach gives him a pair of real bullet shoes. This is a second level of acceptance in this movie. This acceptance means: "take off your boxing boxing shoes, put on your ballet shoes." "Forget about boxing, and follow me to the dancing world." This acceptance is a key to open little Billy's door to that joyful space.

From this moment, little Billy not only Jumps, but Dance.