"Billy Elliot" "Hometown" x "Initial Impulse" x "Departure". The heart-shaking key hidden in the story of a young ballet boy

"October Sky" is a masterpiece depicting the departure of a young man on a rocket.

Let me introduce another film with the exact same structure of "hometown," "initial impulse," and "departure." It is the American film " October Sky " (1999), which was made around the same time as " Billy Elliot ."

The story is set in a mining town in Virginia in the 1950s. It tells the story of high school students who are fascinated by Soviet satellites and rush to make their own rockets. In the 1980s, when "Billy Elliot" is set, the mining industry itself is already on the decline, but in the 1950s it was still thriving. In the midst of all this, a young man who grew up watching his strong father's back has a moment of "electricity running through him" like in Billy Elliot. His passion for rockets grows stronger day by day. His passion gradually drives those around him. The protagonist is blessed with good friends, guided by his teachers, and wins the understanding of his parents. This is the "Episode One" story of a real engineer who would later be at the forefront of NASA's rocket development.

It's amazing how, while it clearly follows the same trajectory as Billy Elliot, the different subject matter has made it such a rich and unique story that it has such a powerful impact on people's hearts. The reason these kinds of films have such a centripetal force is probably because we instinctively cannot resist the appeal of stories that depict the "Episode One" of life.

Furthermore, the film's creators are also superb. Director Joe Johnston ( Jumanji , Captain America: The First Avenger , etc.) is a founding member of ILM who has been involved in numerous VFX projects, and is known for his skill in skillfully combining technology with story. In this film, too, one cannot help but feel his exceptional sense in pinpointing VFX in scenes such as rocket launches within the human drama. This is another reason why this film has captured the hearts of fans as a "masterpiece known only to those in the know."

These works never cease to inspire the hearts of all. As we grow up, we often become disheartened and forget our original intentions, but when we watch "Billy Elliot" or "The October Sky," we naturally straighten our backs and return to the pure feelings of our early days. This is also the great power of movies. Even if we can't dance ballet, we are all Billy Elliots, who continue to burn with passion, fight against reality, and keep moving forward no matter how old we are. I hope that is the case.

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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