I was just thinking , and whilst I know its not real life - It’s odd how movies can subconsciously define how people from other countries / cultures can view and perceive you , and the place where you live .
The reason I say this , as un be known to me the British movie - Billy Elliott which is now apparently a very successful worldwide stage show , is according to my friends - very popular in Japan , and this particular movie just happens to be set , a mere ten miles or so from where I’m writing this , and in a place very nearly identical to where I grew up myself.
To be totally honest , I’ve only ever seen this once and that was of idle curiosity , but from what I do remember – it paints a grim but true , picture of the district , as its set in a tough mining community , during the industrial upheavals of the 80’s , and the story centres around a young guy wanting to become a ballet dancer , against the old school attitudes which prevailed at that time , from both his family and the community .
I suppose it is a social commentary on change, as Billy succeeds in a place where people would call you gay, and probably beat you up if they knew what was going on , and this attitude is certainly a twisted form of the traditional roles of men and women and their gender - occupations , which thankfully - only exists in the mind of a few - today .
Other “noticeable” movies set in my area include – Get Carter , Goal , Stormy Monday , and bits of Harry Potter .
I dread to think what signals that lot puts out to the rest of the world :)
