Billy Elliot

[frualeydis]

I watched the film Billy Elliot yesterday. I haven't seen it before, even though it's been shown at least twice before on TV. As I had expected it was really good. The music was really good too, although I had expected that they would have "There's strength in the union" on the soundtrack too. I watched it together with my friend Anna and we talked about the fact that I had never been to see any ballet, which is strange, because I really like ballet. Then came a very strong scene with a riot and "London calling" in the background and I realized that it was a while since I participated in any riots too, almost three years to be exact. Not that I care that much for riots, because I'm a convinced pacifist. I don't mind damage to property that much, but hurting people is another thing. I also didn't enjoy being pushed by riot police with dogs toward stone throwing anarchists. The police tried to use the peaceful protesters as a sort of human shield. But what I do like is non-violent civil disobedience actions. Not only for the political effect they have, which of course is the main thing but I must admit that I also really enjoy the adrenaline rush. I go very fast from adrenaline to endorphins. I'm aware of this and see the dangers in looking for the adrenaline kicks, but the last years I haven't done any actions at all, so I guess I'm really not in danger of becoming an adrenaline-addict. I haven't been politically active in any major way for the last ten years. I think I got burnt out a little from all my activity and also I'm getting older and unfortunately you loose some of your drive to get involved and change the world when you get older.

Comments

OHHHH!

[marymont.livejournal.com]

Billy Eliot is one of my favorite films, if nothing but for the last 20 seconds. (No, I won't tell if you haven't seen it.) Those last 20 seconds are heartbreakingly beautiful.

My kids grew up in the ballet world, and although they both gave it up, it made me very defensive and also critical of that world.

I think to a great degree that one of the points of the film was that the ugliness around you doesn't have to become you. Billy was being raised for a brutal, tough, angry world (and thus, to become a brutal, tough, angry man), but the beauty inside him HAD to emerge.

I love this film. I have to see it again.

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

I loved that part of the story too, but remembering the coal miners strike from when I was rather young and what I felt about it then, somehow that moved me most. And the sacrifice Billy's dad does when he goes back to work. Would I do that? Giving up your dignity, everything you believe in, your self-respect and loose all respect in other peoples' eyes? I don't know, and I'm very grateful that it isn't likely that I will ever be in a situation where I have to make that choice.

Eva