Belonging

Explore how perceptions of belonging and not belonging can be influenced by connections to places. Kyra Belonging and not belong are important in prescribed film “Strictly Ballroom” by Baz Luhrman and related material “noughts and Crosses” written by Malorie Blackmore, as they both highlight perceptions of belonging which are connected by places. Belonging involves a degree of acceptance or alienation within a society; it involves both self acceptance and the wider acceptance. In both the text and film, belonging is about being comfortable with the people you interact with and the environment you find yourself in. Both Luhrman and Blackman demonstrate this through structural film and language techniques. Throughout the film “Strictly Ballroom” we see the development of the protagonist Scott Hastings the open amateur ballroom dancer, who is a member of a community that uses a hierarchy to determine who belongs and who doesn’t. In Scott’s search for belonging he finds himself stuck in the middle of two drastically different worlds; the Strictly Ballroom Dance Federation which oppressed, superficial and focused on hierarchy, in contrast to Fran’s Spanish community that embraces culture, freedom and expressiveness. Fran the “beginner” helps Scott break away the barriers that affect his sense of belonging through her connection to place in the Spanish community. Scott’s importance in the hierarchy of the Dance federation is revealed through the mockumentary that Luhrman with the use of black humour portrays Scott’s sense of belonging and important to the federation, but it also highlights the consequences Scott will face if he doesn’t dance Strictly Ballroom. Scott begins to question his place in the hierarchy, especially when he asks Liz and Wayne “how they thought he danced on the weekend “and they both reply “I don’t think you didn’t win”. Liz and Wayne’s blind conformity to their place in the Federation alienates Scott from belonging. In the scene where Scott is dancing expressively in front of the mirror, Luhrman uses a close up shot to show Scott’s confusion and uses the mirror to symbolise reflection but at the same time a barrier that affects Scott from expressing his true self. In the film Scott abandons his connection to the Dance Federation and the place he is in the hierarchy but at in doing so Scott discovers an acceptance and refuge in the Spanish community. Belonging in Strictly Ballroom is also perceived by connections to different cultures and places. Luhrman sets up contrast between the Australian and the Spanish cultures; he does this in a dramatic way to present the challenges and choices Scott faces. This contrast also defines a definition of belonging to the audience. Shirley, Scott’s typical Australian mother, symbolizes conformity and superficiality through her personality, makeup and costuming. The dance Federation focuses merely on technique, formula and the policy of “dance to win”. Scott cannot simply re-connect to his place in the Federation because he doesn’t want to conform to dancing Strictly Ballroom thus he cannot “win.” Barry Fife is significant powerful figure of the Dance Federation and we see his place in the hierarchy through the use of repetition of his name and the use of the colour red that Luhrman uses in the scene when Barry is talking to Doug, Scott’s father, to symbolise power. Frans Spanish culture embraces the tradition rooted in culture that is flexible enough for emotional expression and tradition rather than being restricted like the Australian culture. This is demonstrated in the scene where Scott and Fran are preparing for the Pan Pacific’s in Rico, Frans fathers backyard.