English Paper 1

Close Up Shot of Sledgehammer Smashing Piano followed by Panning Shot

Christmas Opening Scene: Reveals Billy sitting on a step in the toilet doorway. Billy winces, jolts every time the hammer lands on the piano evoking his discomfort. He appears in physical pain as he is horrified by his father’s choice to destroy a sacred symbol representing his connection to his mother and his creativity.

“Do you think she’ll mind?” “Shut it Billy, she’s dead”

Christmas Opening Scene: For Billy, his mother is still very present, for Jackie, he cannot cope with her absence. He admonished Billy who is clearly affected by Jackie’s aggression. The juxtaposition highlights the contrasting emotions of loss and grief between the brothers, where Billy still seeks a connection to their mother, while Jackie harshly dismisses any memory of her.

Diegetic Sounds of Jackie Sobbing.

Christmas Opening Scene: Reveals his distress over what has been lost, the struggles endured and the pressures to provide while maintaining his dignity.

Long Shot of Tony framed in the mirror’s reflection.

Christmas Opening Scene: To symbolise his disconnection from the family. It illustrates Tony's isolation and the emotional distance he feels from those around him, emphasizing his internal struggles.

“You won’t fool the revolution”

Boys Don’t Do Ballet: Reveals the way in which Billy is evolving, as he is not fooled by the expectations of gender that have been imposed on him by his father and community.

Two Shot of Billy and Michael

Billy and Michael: Reveals their perspective as Michael confirms his identity as a homosexual through a kiss and an attempt to warm Billy’s hands. The two shot emphasises Billy’s acceptance of Michael for who he is which is reinforced by the close-up shot of his smiling face and the gifting of the tutu, gestures that symbolises Billy’s recognition of Michael’s obstacles as he has also experienced them. Both challenge gender expectations imposed on them by their working class context.

Low-key lighting when Billy enters the gym and while he reads the letter.

Billy/Ms Wilkinson’s Secret Lessons - Billy reading his Mother’s Letters: Initially the low key lighting evokes feelings of loss and grief as Billy introduces the letter and Ms Wilkinson reads it out loud further alluding to his trust of Mrs W and his true motive to pursue his dreams.

Symbolism of the Mother’s letter

Billy/Ms Wilkinson’s Secret Lessons - Billy reading his Mother’s Letters: Letter symbolises the strength that Billy draws from tangible goods and memories as it offers resilience and prompts Billy to have confidence in his own identity. Alludes to the human experience of grief and loss and the way in which the experience does not have to debilitate individuals and that contrastingly we can find reassurance and be enlivened as tragedy can offer a pathway to growth.

High Angle Shot of Jackie crossing the Picket Line.

Scab Scene - Jackie Crossing the Picket Line: Contextualises Jackie walking through the coal pit with his hands in his pockets suggesting the burden of his decision to sacrifice his pride and core values of loyalty to cross the picket line.

Long shot of Jackie in the Minefields.

Scab Scene - Jackie Crossing the Picket Line: Emphasises how small he is in the face of these political issues. He makes a challenging personal decision to surrender his unionist values of solidarity and loyalty demonstrating his awareness of Billy’s identity and potential future. He chooses to accept scorn, hatred, and isolation over camaraderie, which serves as evidence of the enormity of his sacrifice.

Two shot of Jackie and Tony falling onto their knees.

Scab Scene - Jackie Crossing the Picket Line: Highlights their complete defeat in the face of these family and community issues. In the background we can see men from both sides of the picket line, while father and son kneel in the middle. Tony hugs Jackie offering emotional and physical support. It is a cathartic exchange that addresses and mends the strained relationship.

Intertextuality of Swan Lake and Music by Tchaikovsky.

The Bridge where Mrs Wilkinson tells the story of Swan Lake: Symbolises Billy’s state of entrapment as he was made to be something he wasn’t. The story itself represents the idea of an individual being subject to stronger forces while also foreshadowing Billy striving to overcome them.

Gentle non-diegetic music rises as he speaks.

Billy auditioning for the Royal Ballet School: The same music that is played on the piano during the opening of the scene and the music played when he reads the letter from his mum. Due to the music the mood shifts from tense to hopeful.

“I’m just there, flying, like a bird” - Simile.

Billy auditioning for the Royal Ballet School: Contributes to the Swan Lake motif allowing him to reiterate the way in which dance provides him with the freedom to transcend obstacles.This simile emphasizes Billy's feelings of liberation and joy as he expresses his passion for dance, juxtaposing his struggles with the weight of societal expectations.

Camera cuts between close ups of Billy and his Family + Michael.

Final Scene from Swan Lake: Alludes to how after achieving self-actualisation and overcoming obstacles he is able to showcase his extraordinary talent and passion for dance that his Durham community was initially so hesitant to acknowledge.

“Lads do football or boxing or wrestling. No ballet.”

Jackie’s tricolon dismisses non‑traditional pursuits and highlights rigid gender expectations. A high‑angle shot over Billy reinforces his status as oppressed and marginalized. This quote marks the denigration Billy must overcome.

“Just because I like ballet doesn’t mean I’m a poof, you know?”

Billy’s colloquial retort boldly rejects homophobia and reclaims agency. A medium close‑up shot puts emotional intensity centre‑frame, illustrating his emotional growth.

“I feel a change in my whole body… I’m just there, flying… like a bird… like electricity.”

Billy’s use of metaphor and simile invites the audience into his experience,dance becomes transcendence. The slow dissolve into movement aligns him with liberation and dramatic transformation.

“You’re a disgrace to them gloves, your father, and the traditions of this boxing hall!”

Coach Watson’s tricolon is a denunciation of familial legacy and masculine conformity. The low‑angle shot over the boxing ring underscores Billy’s failure to conform.

“Give the boy a fucking chance.”

Jackie’s sudden shift into high‑modality advocacy marks his emotional awakening. His demeanor, paired with a close‑up and swelling music, shows a transformation from ideology to paternal support.

“I don’t want one [a childhood]. I want to be a ballet dancer.”

reveals how deeply he feels that his identity and purpose lie outside the norms of his working‑class environment. Rather than cherishing the carefree expectations of childhood, he is willing to abandon them for the authenticity dance gives him.

“Look at them gloves, man. They went out with the Ark. They’re my dad’s, these!”

The quote uses a metaphor (“went out with the Ark”) that exaggerates outdated tradition. The film often frames those gloves as heavy, bulky, over‑bearing vs the lightness of ballet shoes, visually aligning identity with burden vs aspiration.