Every film, fiction or non-fiction, will have their own unique ideas and themes about a certain topic. The movie ‘Billy Elliot’ demonstrates new perspectives about complex human experiences, such as the human desire to accomplish individual goals and the rebellious nature of human beings who feel inclined to fight against corrupt authorities. The 2008 movie by Mark Herman, ‘The Boy in Striped Pajamas’ presents similar themes that are challenged to gift us with unique insight into complex human experiences. Furthermore, the protagonist Bruno, amidst an antisemitic society struggles with the inevitable human desire for connection, resulting in his nonconforming behavior where he befriends a Jewish boy. Collectively, the works explore complex inconsistencies that surround human behaviors through crafting a nonconforming character that is positioned in a society following stereotypical beliefs, whilst each protagonists’ individual contexts differ, collectively they ignite new ideas about the multidimensional nature of human experiences.
Both characters are challenging the assumptions that in the society. Symbolism is used to show the difference is the stereotypes in the society. The ballet shoes are symbol that show that ballet is female role, while the boxing gloves show the male role. Yet Billy chooses the ballet shoes as, his desire and motivation caused him to challenge the social assumptions. To further challenge the assumption that ballet is only suitable for the feminine, Daldry creates a direct juxtaposition as Billy walks away from a punching bag and enters his ballet class. Mirrored in ‘The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’, Bruno is driven by his individual human desire for connection, leading to his friendship with Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp. Although this friendship grows into a strong bond, paradoxically a fence remains between the two symbolizing their inevitable separation, catalyzed by the antisemitic society. However, Herman demonstrates the power of human connections despite contextual limitations as Bruno crosses the fence to be with Shmuel, this is a metaphor for the human ability to breakdown oppressive values.
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Both works are set in oppressive societies, Daldry’s film demonstrates the suffering surrounding the holocaust and Billy Elliot’s society is one shaped by patriarchal values. Daldry use of characterization in the movie reflects this. Both Tony and Jackie are violent, raging and have conventional masculinity, where they both want Billy to do boxing. Similarly, in ‘The Boy in Striped Pajamas’, Lieutenant Kotler is an aggressive, strong and angry young man in the society. Bruno’s father is brutal and strict in his position of power. It also ignites the idea that human behavior and qualities are shaped by their personal and collective experience in the society.
In conclusion, the authors Stephen Daldry and Mark Herman have shown the ideas that people id they have the motivation can achieve anything they want. Billy Elliot becomes a ballet dancer, challenging the assumptions that was set by the society. Bruno is motivated from his ambition to explore, and to have a connection with someone he likes who is a Jew, which challenges the assumptions in the anti-sematic society. Furthermore, both authors explain how individual human behaviors and qualities are shaped by collective societal beliefs and values.
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