Luhrmann’s ‘Strictly Ballroom’ explores the idea that one’s desire to belong can often intervene with the anticipated desire to obtain one’s individuality. In the film, dance acts as a metaphor for life, this is thoroughly expressed throughout a series of scenes. The protagonist often expresses his desire to articulate he’s own identity through the emotive language, “I just want to dance my own steps” and “I’m sick of dancing someone else dance”. It is seen unambiguously that
They were part of the women life cycle, since many stated that they quit when they find a "beau" or get married. The dance hall culture changed by making "unescorted" women admission fees lower so to attract single women. In addition, the dance halls were a gathering of people looking for amusement and pleasure, so most "new" things in entertainment were tested there or developed there. On the contrary to many assumptions, the charity girls were not prostitutes since they didn't want money, but they wanted presents, attention, and other things that gave them pleasure. Some of them do it just for pleasure and others for financial support in the short term.
The pressure to fit the stereotypical image of a ballerina is oppressive, yet it continues to be dictated through the influence of society. Through internal and external pressure, it has become a cultural expectation for ballerinas to fit this mold, ultimately oppressing all classical female ballerinas. Classical dancers, especially ballerinas, are expected and pressured to fit into a very specific image. Professional ballerinas are characterized for their narrow hips, little or no fat content, slim middle, small breasts, and delicate features. It is a female stereotype known as the Balanchine ballerina.
The combination of new dance steps, incorporated into old traditional dances encouraged the characters to find themselves and give them a sense of belonging. However a lack of understanding this was shown when Barry Fife, Shirley Hastings and Liz Holt all are repulsed by the idea of new dance moves, and find themselves doing everything possible to prevent them from succeeding once they have finally found themselves. This is shown when Shirley starts disowning her own son, Barry tries to do everything in his power to eliminate Scott from the Pan Pacific dance competition and also creates made up stories of Scotts Father, in order to convince Scott that he’s doing the wrong thing. However, this is once again replenished by Scotts Father Doug, supporting Scott and telling him to go after what he thinks is right. Another aspect of the film that nourishes belonging is Scott and Frans “love life”.
Esperanza’s cousin asks her for a dance but she is too embarrassed by her old shoes that she refuses. Esperanza’s uncle takes her to dance and while dancing everybody cheers for them and Esperanza forgets about her old shoes and feels like a woman. While dancing Esperanza was aware of her cousin’s gaze on her. The awareness of a man's gaze is equated with Esperanza's awakening to her own womanhood. Another major theme in the vignette is one of sexuality because as Esperanza is in a transition state and first experiences her emerging sexuality as a desire to be desired by the boy at the dance.
His internal struggle with his choice of which decision to make and whether to win for his father or dance his own steps is expressed through the tug-of-war that he has with his mother and father. The close up shot of Scott's facial expression shows his confusion of the choice that he has to make, either to conform to the world of ballroom and dance federation steps or to continue to be different and dance his own steps with Fran. The suspenseful music in the background in the tug-of-war scene builds up tension towards Scott's final decision to stand out and be different or to conform. His final decision is made once Doug said " we lived our lives in fear" as the words echoed in his head, Scott comes to a realisation and makes up his mind to dance his own steps in the pan pacific. belong to Australia are shown through the use of Metaphor when he stepped onto Australian soil, " I felt I was born again" allows him to have a sense of connection to Australia.
A sense of belonging and rapport is engendered within collective identities; being part of a group implies common traits that give individuals the same identity, showing them as different to other groups and identities. Identity is a way in which individuals, within the social world they live, make sense of who they are (Woodward, 2004, p2). Identity is complex and multi-faceted as individuals will have multiple identities that define them; employee, parent, friend and teacher. Having multiple identities may produce internal conflict, as the expectations and responsibilities of each identity assert themselves. Identity is fashioned from multiple factors; an individuals gender, country of origin, social class, occupation, interests, cultural background and religion all have an influence on their identity.
The dictionary defines dance as "an artistic form of nonverbal communication" (dance). As Christians we have always heard that dancing is immoral; that dancing only led to one thing- sex. Although this is the general belief, many people find the art of ballet, such as The Nutcracker to be tasteful. Dancing embodies passion, grace and poise. Dancing is not just a mating ritual as we have been told; it is a story that is too good for words.
Film Techniques such as Low Angle Shot and High Angle Shot help to over emphasise her power over some individuals, which brings up the theme of Power and Authority and how it is exercised within her own rights. The beginning of the film sees her screaming out "Go number 100", as if 100 was the perfect number; also that Scott is number 100. Themes: Contrasting Worlds: The real world, and the world of ballroom dancing, and what is seen as fake. Power and Authority: The idea of certain individuals having more power over others. Conformity and Rebellion: Where some individuals hate a form of lifestyle causing them to rebel, or some who simply conform to the rules and
He wrestles and his father wants him to win every match he wrestles, so he stresses over matches and commits all his time to sports. Allison’s parents ignore her a lot. Since they don’t pay any attention to her, she can get away with doing things that a normal teenager, whose parents paid attention to, would not get away with. She tells Andrew that she drinks a lot of vodka, all the time. Her parents don’t care about her so she can do whatever she wants.