Edit 
Delete - Last Modified By: JCA at 28/05/2014 1:03:44 PM
Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film directed by Stephen Daldry. Set in north-eastern England during the 1984-5 coal miners' strike, it stars Jamie Bell as 11-year-old Billy, an aspiring dancer dealing with the negative stereotype of the male ballet dancer.
His coal miner father, Jackie, and his older brother, Tony, don’t understand Billy’s desire to dance.
Billy’s mother loved music and Billy has inherited her love of music and dance, but now that she has died, she is not present to support him.
His ballet teacher, Sandra Wilkinson, helps Billy as he secretly learns to dance instead of taking boxing lessons, but first they must convince his father that Billy’s talent means he has to dance. He is not a coal miner or labourer.
Discussion :
Remember you will write at least one paragraph on this film in Expository essay style.
Billy shows that sometimes it is important to tread your own path and ignore the people who want you to be different to the way you are.
Task :
Continue film viewing and consider the following questions :
Question to discuss :
Have you ever felt 'different' to others? Is it awkward to feel different? What groups of people in our community sometimes feel very different to others?
What sort of life does Billy have?
What does he love doing?
Who has taught him this skill and passion?
What does Billy's father want him to do?
What does Billy want to do?
Can you guess (predict) what may happen at the end of the film?
How is Billy's friend Michael different to other boys his age?
Is Billy tolerant of his friend Michael? Provide evidence of this.
Quotes :
What are some quotes you need to write that show the struggle Billy has simply to do what he loves?
For example what does his father say to him about what boys should and shouldn't do?
Would Billy find it so difficult today? Why?
See Resource on the miners' strike and how difficult life was in Britain in the 1980's.