Billy Elliot: I don't want a childhood. I want to be a ballet dancer.

Surprisingly, I have never seen Billy Elliot until a few days ago. And I’ve loved it. It is compelling, it is saucy... it is MAGIC. 

It makes me think about how life can be conditioned depending on the place you are born, the class you belong to and the time you are meant to live. Why can’t we just do what the heart is telling us to do? Billy is a really good example of willpower and spirit of self-improvement. Although he is just a kid, he fights for what he wants, no matter what people may think or say: he does it just because it makes him feel happy and fulfilled. 

–“Billy: Just because I like ballet doesn't mean I'm a poof, you know.”

It was quite common in the 80’s, usually in working classes, to avoid people’s deepest feelings and passions. Why? Just because they were afraid of what people may say, they thought that what they were doing was stupid and will play against them in the all time low. Nothing further from the truth, but hopefully things has changed (and also people’s mind).  

Another aspect of the film that has shocked me (in a good way) is the power of love. While watching the film we can appreciate an interesting evolution on Billy’s father behavior. When Billy’s father hears that his son is doing ballet he gets angry and bans Billy from taking ballet lessons. He refused to give in until the moment he saw his son dancing. Then he realized nothing is more important that his own son’s happiness. While dancing, Billy feels that problems just vanish, nothing else matters. He forgets everything; he feels like flying as a bird, as electricity. Would a father ban his son from feeling this way? No, never. It happens in real life: parents always want the best for their children. Even though it is not what they expected or what they wanted them to do, if they can see how good they feel when they are doing what they truly love, make sure that a parent will always give children full support. No matter what it costs, no matter how much time it takes, there is nothing more important for a father or mother than helping their children achieving their goals. As Nietzsche used to say: “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” If we fight for something, it is because we are deeply concerned on what we are fighting for.

As a conclusion, I would like you to get my message: Feel free to do what your heart is telling you and always be true to your own spirit. 

Say something, say something.