blog




  • Essay / Motif of transition in the films "Billie Elliot" and "Marry Me"

    For an individual to take a new path in life, the support of other people, preferably those close to him, is essential for him. help overcome the obstacles he encounters. This change through new experiences impacts self-understanding as they grow with new perspectives on a larger world. This transition/change is visible in the film Billy Elliot (2000) by Stephen Daldry and the short film Marry Me directed by Michelle Lehman, as both texts show the similarity of the main characters' experiences settling into a new world and how They do it through their Determination and hard work. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayBilly Elliot is a touching and bittersweet film with drawn characters and extraordinary scenes and moments. This film shows the difficulties and struggles that individuals go through as they enter a new world of unexpected and different experiences. Daldry described how the film's protagonist dances to save himself and his family from a difficult life. Billy challenges society's gender-based expectations during this time, as he rebels and disobeys masculine stereotypes and pursues his passion for dance. Billy's transition is depicted through a series of visual and dialogue scenes. The family is opposed to the idea of ​​Billy entering the world of dance, as they are bound by the traditional belief that "boys do boxing, ballet is for girls". Daldry's combination of form, structure, and ideas depicts the changes happening to Billy. , and the neighboring characters of the film. The main ideas of the film are presented throughout the transition of a boy with ambitious dreams, showcasing the theme of passion and understanding. This strong connection between a boy and dance becomes the catalyst that pushes him to grow up and venture into a new world. Determination is the key ingredient to Billy's success in the dance world. The film's opening sequence shows Billy in his room, continually jumping on his bed with absolute happiness. However, it is not until he ventures out of his room and is captured running and dancing down the steep hill on his street that we realize he is seeking a new world, filled with dancing and happiness (something he had never experienced before). ) This hill is used as a motif throughout the film and symbolizes how difficult the struggle to transition to dance and happiness truly is. Throughout the film, it is his determination that helps him reach the top of the hill and metaphorically enter a new life, as if he has finally succeeded. Billy defies all odds by gradually entering a world that is socially unacceptable for men. As Billy dances in his room, the non-diegetic sounds of T.Rex's Cosmic Dancer sing "I danced yourself right out of this room." These words foreshadow Billy's aspirations, but it is his family who help him realize his dream of becoming a dancer. Marry Me is based on two worlds of Chloe and Jason. Chloe wishes to enter Jason's world by marrying him; however, he loses interest in her and concentrates on cycling. Jason prefers to socialize with his older brother who is an experienced cyclist. His age becomes a clear difference for Jason who enters this new world of riding because of a different level of experience. This transition becomes a struggle for Jason; nevertheless, his determination helps him enter this new world. The sceneBilly Elliot's opening is similar to what is shown in the first frames of the short film. Jason is seen jumping on a sandcastle and ruining it with every jump he makes. This action is similar to Billy jumping on his mattress to the non-diegetic sounds in the background; it is the symbol of entering a new path. As the short film progresses, Jason is seen building a bike ramp. This bike ramp is a symbol throughout the short film and represents the uphill struggle that lies ahead. There is an obvious parallel between the cycle ramp and the steep slope of Billy Street. Although he has not expressed it, Billy, after major setbacks, has an epiphany and shows through his dancing how determined he is to enter the world of dance. Both characters must continue dancing and riding bicycles to overcome barriers and succeed. Billy's ballet lesson shows his first encounter with the real world of ballet and the beginning of his transition to individualism. The juxtaposition technique is used to show Billy's boxing world and the ballet world he operates in, best illustrated in a scene featuring a ballet lesson. The medium shot shows his lack of interest in boxing, although when the calm diegetic ballet music begins to play, he swings in the ring. Billy enters the ballet class and positions himself behind the line of dancers. This diminishes his size and shows his insecurities, accentuating the fact that he initially does not belong in the world of dance. Billy's dominance in the ballet is expressed when the use of a low angle shot is shown in one frame. This shot establishes his new power. Billy continues to overcome obstacles with his dance teacher, Mrs. Wilkinson, by his side. She knows he has the strength to overcome obstacles and continues to encourage him in times of doubt. Marry Me begins to show the contrast between the two worlds of Chloe and Jason through the costume used. Costume is a great technique incorporated into the short film as the colors worn are based on gender stereotypes. Jason wears blue clothing, including a t-shirt displaying the text BMX combined with his blue bike. This creates the idea that Jason is only focused on the bike and ignores Chloe's ambitions. The sartorial divide appears in this same scene where Chloe is seen across the road in a matching pink outfit, sitting on her girly pink bike. Chloe takes an interest in Jason's every taste as she begins to learn how to ride a bike, bringing cycling into her world in the hopes that Jason will enter her world as well. There is a correlation between the two worlds of Billy Elliot and the two worlds of Marry Me. In this case, Billy and Chloe's desires are the same since Billy leaves boxing and enters ballet and Chloe begins to incorporate cycling into his life in order to enter a new world with Jason. Breaking out of both characters' security blanket becomes an obstacle they are willing to overcome, knowing that a reward awaits them; for Billy Dance and for Chloe, it is a relationship with Jason. The most significant aspect of the film is the final scene. This is important as Billy's journey comes to an end. Previously, in other shots in the film, Billy was in line with the camera, but as Billy prepares to enter the stage, a low angle shot is used. The effect of using this photo is to show that Billy now has dominance and power in his dance world; he succeeded. When Billy enters the stage, the lighting gets brighter as he is placed under multiple spotlights. The lighting symbolizes the fact that he has successfully entered the world of ballet and is considered a star. We ask to.