Into the World by Billy Elliott

There are many directions in life which facilitate individual advancement into a New World. 'Into the World' is about people choosing the course of their life with their own resolve and knowledge which will enable them to go beyond their place of birth and their inherited, constricted view of the world.

According to the rubric, this unit focuses on new experiences, growth, transition and change. These key words can then be applied to the prescribed texts and be the focal points for discussion when analysing a characters development from new experiences. Into the World is relevant to Billy Elliot as the movie's main themes are new opportunities and directions, self purpose, encouragement and individual growth and maturity. Directed by Stephen Daldry, this movie is a drama that delves into many social issues. It is about an adolescent boy growing up in a poor neighbourhood that has many inherent rules and customs. Billy's father, Jackie, conforms to the stereotypes that were evident during his youth: girls do ballet and boys do boxing. Billy becomes aware that he is interested in ballet during one of his boxing lessons when he watches the dancers in the room next door. Contrast is used as a technique as the camera focuses on the dancers' delicate ballet slipper shod feet and then moves to show Billy's feet in ungainly boxing boots. In order for Billy to follow his dream he has to disobey his father and deal with all the rage that this will result in. He is determined to pursue this path as he realises that dancing will open up his world. Doors are used as recurring symbols in this movie to represents new directions as well as obstructions between Billy's worlds.

Jackie discovers that Billy is doing ballet and he tries to stop his son from dancing. "From now on you can forget about the fucking ballet, I'm busting my ass for those 50 pence's, from now on you can stay at home and look after your nana". Billy chooses to disobey his father to follow his dreams. This choice enables Billy to mature throughout the movie and to experience many opportunities within the ballet world. A second scene that depicts these themes is when Billy is given the opportunity to audition for the Royal Ballet School. Jackie is forced to make sacrifices to provide Billy with this opportunity to succeed. After the audition Billy and Jackie have an interview with the judging panel. "No child can succeed with out the 100% support of the family, you are completely behind Billy.... Are you not?" "Yes, yes of course." This reply illustrates how Jackie has learnt to appreciate his son's talent and shows the growth in Jackie's character.

Billy's has developed and progressed as a dancer so much so that he performs the lead role in the most prestigious ballet, Swan Lake. The swan is symbolic to Billy as it represents his personal growth

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