NEWS

The Davidson Film Club is pleased to invite you to a discussion of the British masterpiece Billy Elliot, nominated for three Oscars and winner of three BAFTA awards, on Saturday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.

“Tore my working-class heart in two then sewed in a spacer, so it could swell bigger than ever before… beautiful story about passion and grief and coming of age. . .”  Spectator Review

Directed by Stephen Daldry
UK (2000, 1h50)
In Regional British English

*The Davidson Film Club will remain virtual in February and until further notice owing to the continuing high level of COVID positivity in the community. But there are encouraging signs, and we are looking forward to our return to the Armour Street Theatre in the not-too-distant future!

Discussion of the film will be led by Terilynne Muehleisen Knox, Creator and Artistic Director of Dance Davidson.

To join the discussion on Zoom, click on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89515671829?pwd=SWthbWYxYis0RFhpN3UxU1Q0dFhKQT09
Meeting ID: 895 1567 1829
Passcode: 753128

Billy Elliot may be obtained from Netflix by mail (subscribers) or rented on Vudu or Prime Video for $3.99:
Vudu: https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/Billy-Elliot/5091?cmp=rt_where_to_watch
Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008R3VLVO/ref=pv_ag_gcf?cmp=rt_where_to_watch&tag=rottetomao-20

There is no membership fee for this program, only, at most, the modest cost of the on-line film rental that yields no revenue to the Davidson Film Club.

Film Summary:

The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner’s son in Northern England, where a long, bitter, miners’ strike is playing out, is forever changed one day when he stumbles upon a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. Before long, he finds himself consumed by dance, demonstrating the kind of raw talent seldom seen by the class’ exacting instructor, Mrs. Wilkinson. With a tart tongue and a never-ending stream of cigarettes in her hand, Mrs. Wilkinson’s zest for teaching is revived when she sees Billy’s potential. But what about Billy’s father and brother, hard-bitten miners. . .?

Nominated for 3 Oscars (Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress), plus 57 wins and 73 nominations including 3 BAFTA prizes for Best British Film, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, in addition to Best Foreign Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress awards and nominations at major international film festivals all over the world.

“Did I say how wonderful Billy Elliot is? Let me say it again: this is three-hankie wonderful. Be prepared to sit all the way through the credits and hope they don’t turn the lights up too soon when it’s over, at least not if you look as much a wreck as I do after a good long happy cry.” MaryAnn Johnson, flickfilosopher

“The real draw, when all is said and done, is Bell’s immensely entertaining performance as Billy. He throws himself into the dance sequences with blissful abandon. Billy slowly grows into a performer; he doesn’t just fall into a state of grace. One sequence, in which he joyously leaps and twists his way down a deserted side street, is absolutely exhilarating.” Paul Tatara, CNN.com 

“Bell explodes onscreen in a performance that cuts to the heart without sham tear-jerking. When Billy confronts his father not with words or fists but with a dance that gives form and grace to his anger, the result is one of the most powerful scenes of the movie year. Look for Billy to blast off.” Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

“The acting is of consistently high quality and is one of the reasons why the movie is as effective as it is. Billy Elliot wins over viewers because of its characters, not its plot, and these individuals are imbued with life by the actors inhabiting their skins.” James Berardinelli, ReelViews

“We’ve finally been given a film with a good, almost mythic story, complicated yet believable characters, a masterful blend of emotional intensity and critical restraint, and a series of dance scenes that are authentic, inspiring, and completely integral to the plot [. . .]. Here is a movie that appeals to your heart, head, funny bone, eyes, and ears, and last but not least your feet, for the music and the movement will have you wanting to get up and dance. And it achieves all of this without insulting the intelligence.” Spectator Review

Our updated website at www.davidsonfilmclub.com features the whole up-coming series (January-June 2022) and film descriptions. Have you Bookmarked it? 

We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope to see many of you on Zoom on Saturday, Feb. 19, for the discussion of this powerful, heart-warming film!

Alan
Alan Singerman
President, Davidson Film Club
[email protected]
(704) 231-6736