There's some things that annoyed me about Billy Elliot (although not as much as Black Swan!). Like most comedy ballet skits the film gave the impression ballet has no technique or roles (or artistry) for males, when in fact male dancers have their own specialised technique, based (unsurprisingly) around their unique male attributes (strength, speed, athleticism etc).
While it's true that ballet is female dominated (literally by numbers) and has always attracted gay men (like much of The Arts), it's also true that ballet is one of the last remaining art forms where you can actually see the masculine/ feminine (the dreaded gender binary!) showcased and celebrated unapologetically, not just in isolation, but working together.... as one complimentary partnership and union of male/ female energies. It's the last place (I can think of) where you can still see men and women interact without the interaction being defined by gender politics - because the choreography and stories literally predate feminism!
The traditional 'pas de deux' of classical ballet tells you everything you need to know about what men and women are, and how they relate to each other. It contains everything that's missing from childhood education and youth culture today (where only the individual seems to exists).
It's annoying that Billy Elliot started dancing as 'one of the girls' in an all girl class with pink tutus everywhere..... and he ended up (in the final scene) staring in the *all male* Swan Lake production by Matthew Bourne (it's a real production which exists outside of the film). At no point (if I remember) did he ever actually partner a girl (pas de deux) and then showcase his male solo technique and artistry alongside her contrasting female technique and artistry - a common format in classical ballet.
I can't help thinking if the complimentary nature of male/ female anatomy and energy was celebrated more (over narcissistic individualism), and if social dancing (partnering) was as widespread as it used to be (country dancing, barn dances etc) we might see less gender identity issues... and crucially, a greater respect and reverence for the masculine and feminine principles, and the realisation and acceptance that these principles cannot be attained though the blunt instruments of surgeons or endocrinologists ... and perhaps don't need to be...
I've always found the subject of classical ballet and gender fascinating but I'll shut up now :) (forgive off topic ramble!) ..... sadly, the ballet world is rapidly being consumed by woke ideology. It's a weird mixture of classics from the 19th/ 20th century that still endure (in only a handful of heavily subsidised companies), and a load of woke, narcissistic trash made by trendy new choreographers.
Anyway, Billy Elliot is certainly not a terrible film. Just a bit ham fisted.
Can I add The Red Shoes to the list? (a cautionary tale of female obsession and fixation!).
I love Red Shoes! Yes, to be honest, while my kids loves Billy Elliott and I myslf really enjoyed that bits about the miners' strike etc, there were aspects that I didn't really like. Tbh I didn't think they chose a great dancer - full disclosure, I'm clueless about dancing, but I didn't think much of his dancing.
I agree. This movie shows a family's struggle with poverty, alcoholism, rape and domestic violence, which I think is much too greater for a teen to watch.
My favourite films about older teenagers/ early adulthood : czerny Piotr / A blonde in love/ audition by Milos Forman (in Czech- all comedies). Billy liar (a British comedy about a the difference between fantasy and free spirits), Kes (British, definitely not a comedy about bullying ) Georgy Girl (British, about trying to grow up), The last picture show, A French film called ‘graduate first’ (very realistic family arguments, and very funny). Agnes Varda did a good film called Vagabond how people treat free spirits, but it’s not cheerful. Afterlife by the Japanese director kore eda. The green ray by Eric rohmer (in French). The River by Renoir - a film about teenage sexual awakening set in India.
(Also, I am a firm believer that everyone should watch Shoah before calling anyone a Nazi. This is a documentary, and very hard to watch, but very important as well.)
I appreciate that! I think Lord of the Flies also has a newer film adaptation. As far as TV shows go, Station 11 actually has some profound life lessons regarding resilience and the interconnectedness between people.
Coraline--she learns the dangers of going to her "perfect" replacement family and fights to get back to her real parents.
Enola Holmes
4 films based on SE Hinton books:
The Outsiders (she wrote this when she was 16)
Rumblefish
Tex
That Was Then This is Now
(Rumblefish & The Outsiders were both directed by FF Coppola)
Brilliant! Thanks for these, I love SE Hinton!
The Gods Must Be Crazy - it's a hilarious comedy.
Great list
3 other wonderful films:for adolescents and adults
My Life as a Dog
Ponette, Forbidden Games
Yes! Ponette! And My Life as a Dog!!!
There's some things that annoyed me about Billy Elliot (although not as much as Black Swan!). Like most comedy ballet skits the film gave the impression ballet has no technique or roles (or artistry) for males, when in fact male dancers have their own specialised technique, based (unsurprisingly) around their unique male attributes (strength, speed, athleticism etc).
While it's true that ballet is female dominated (literally by numbers) and has always attracted gay men (like much of The Arts), it's also true that ballet is one of the last remaining art forms where you can actually see the masculine/ feminine (the dreaded gender binary!) showcased and celebrated unapologetically, not just in isolation, but working together.... as one complimentary partnership and union of male/ female energies. It's the last place (I can think of) where you can still see men and women interact without the interaction being defined by gender politics - because the choreography and stories literally predate feminism!
The traditional 'pas de deux' of classical ballet tells you everything you need to know about what men and women are, and how they relate to each other. It contains everything that's missing from childhood education and youth culture today (where only the individual seems to exists).
It's annoying that Billy Elliot started dancing as 'one of the girls' in an all girl class with pink tutus everywhere..... and he ended up (in the final scene) staring in the *all male* Swan Lake production by Matthew Bourne (it's a real production which exists outside of the film). At no point (if I remember) did he ever actually partner a girl (pas de deux) and then showcase his male solo technique and artistry alongside her contrasting female technique and artistry - a common format in classical ballet.
I can't help thinking if the complimentary nature of male/ female anatomy and energy was celebrated more (over narcissistic individualism), and if social dancing (partnering) was as widespread as it used to be (country dancing, barn dances etc) we might see less gender identity issues... and crucially, a greater respect and reverence for the masculine and feminine principles, and the realisation and acceptance that these principles cannot be attained though the blunt instruments of surgeons or endocrinologists ... and perhaps don't need to be...
I've always found the subject of classical ballet and gender fascinating but I'll shut up now :) (forgive off topic ramble!) ..... sadly, the ballet world is rapidly being consumed by woke ideology. It's a weird mixture of classics from the 19th/ 20th century that still endure (in only a handful of heavily subsidised companies), and a load of woke, narcissistic trash made by trendy new choreographers.
Anyway, Billy Elliot is certainly not a terrible film. Just a bit ham fisted.
Can I add The Red Shoes to the list? (a cautionary tale of female obsession and fixation!).
I love Red Shoes! Yes, to be honest, while my kids loves Billy Elliott and I myslf really enjoyed that bits about the miners' strike etc, there were aspects that I didn't really like. Tbh I didn't think they chose a great dancer - full disclosure, I'm clueless about dancing, but I didn't think much of his dancing.
Once were Warriers?! Definitely not a film for children!
I agree. This movie shows a family's struggle with poverty, alcoholism, rape and domestic violence, which I think is much too greater for a teen to watch.
Whale Rider
For girls wanting to flee womanhood, Once Were Warriors might send them over the edge.
My favourite films about older teenagers/ early adulthood : czerny Piotr / A blonde in love/ audition by Milos Forman (in Czech- all comedies). Billy liar (a British comedy about a the difference between fantasy and free spirits), Kes (British, definitely not a comedy about bullying ) Georgy Girl (British, about trying to grow up), The last picture show, A French film called ‘graduate first’ (very realistic family arguments, and very funny). Agnes Varda did a good film called Vagabond how people treat free spirits, but it’s not cheerful. Afterlife by the Japanese director kore eda. The green ray by Eric rohmer (in French). The River by Renoir - a film about teenage sexual awakening set in India.
The Boy who harnessed the wind.
Catch 22 ( book is better than movie, my opinion)
Whale Rider
Miracle on 34th Street (the original version, starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn)
Lilly topples the world is great. Coming of age documentary. She struggles with being quirky but after her first year in college, embraces it.
(Also, I am a firm believer that everyone should watch Shoah before calling anyone a Nazi. This is a documentary, and very hard to watch, but very important as well.)
I appreciate that! I think Lord of the Flies also has a newer film adaptation. As far as TV shows go, Station 11 actually has some profound life lessons regarding resilience and the interconnectedness between people.