Thatcher, Ballet and Mines - in other words, Billy Elliot

[novin_ha]

Dear f-list.

Particularly the British part.

I am supposed to be prepared to discussing the social reality in which the action of "Billy Elliot" takes place. Is there any insight you could provide for me? Interesting data or an online essay on the subject you would recommend? I don't want to search blindly, and thought some of you might have a much better knowledge on the subject... I am particularly interested in the strikes, violence used by the government, some such.

Thank you from the mountain in advance,
Novinha

And as to my opinion on the film?

1. It's the second time I'm watching it and it still makes me go emo. That's what I call good.
2. I am completely insensitive to the beauty that ballet probably is, but the boy's performence made it somewhat more real for me.
3. The music - oh my, it was amazing. Especially the 'rebel' themes, rock songs.
4. My group are wimps because they did not want to stay half an hour to see the ending. Wimps. Wimps.
5. I could relate to both Billy and his father, and the actors' performance was outstanding.
6. The accent - um, at times I could hardly understand anything. Especially when Billy was angry and so on. But it sounded interesting. Seemed to me almost all those dyphthongs were reduced and some vowels were replaced by others... Is that the Northern England accent? *Adores*
7. Because of the geographical setting - in connection to ballet - I was of course thinking about junediamanti while watching it. What did you think about the film, June?
8. And you, the rest of my fabulous flist - what was your opinion? Favourite moment?

Mine was when Billy's father chopped the piano and was then sitting and crying on Christmas. Also when Billy asked if he can come back if he doesn't like it in London and father asked if the boy was joking, the room was already taken. And when father saw Billy dance for the first time.

Yes, I know. It's just that I loved the character. Not as in, would like to meet. As in, he was so realistic, believable and good while human and violent and just...

I love this film.

Comments

[selened.livejournal.com]

http://www.num.org.uk/?p=history&c=num&h=13

This address takes you to the National Union of Mineworker's website's overview of the strike.

http://www.strike84.co.uk/

This is a gallery of photographs.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/29/newsid_2494000/2494793.stm

This is the address for the BBCs archive of the most notorius conflict. On this page you will find other links to stories and video of the strike.

I was a child in a mining village in Nottinghamshire at the time and the strike had a big impact on all of us as many Nottinghamshire miners would not strike because the Union did not allow them to vote on the matter.

I do have personal recollections if you're interested.

[novin-ha.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes! Personal would be great.

And thanks for the interesting links. I'll certainly check them out.