Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall says story still growing 25 years on

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Working Title / BBC Films A scene from the film Billy Elliot shows Jamie Bell as Billy, dancing with Julie Walter, who plays his dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson. They are in a school gym. Billy is wearing a peach-coloured t-shirt, white shorts and socks, and black shoes. He has short dark hair. Mrs Wilkinson is wearing a purple jumpsuit with a black belt tied around her waist. She is wearing black shoes and ankle warmers. Her hair is short and red. Working Title / BBC Films

The film, released in 2000, received three Oscar nominations

It has been 25 years since Billy Elliot first leapt onto the big screen – and its writer has said the story continues to grow.

Newcastle-born Lee Hall wrote the film about an 11-year-old boy from a County Durham coal-mining family who discovers a passion for ballet.

The coming-of-age picture won three Bafta awards and earned three Oscar nominations.

“It feels like yesterday since I was going round the locations here, trying to think about where, [and] how to write,” said Mr Hall, who is back in north-east England to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

“What has been lovely has been just coming here and finding out what it means to the people in Horden and Easington.

“Hopefully I have written something that honestly depicts their lives at that time.

“It feels that they really respond to that and I feel really honoured when people come up and mention it.”

Lee Hall is smiling slightly at the camera. He has short grey hair and wears black-rimmed glasses, beige coat and a grey jumper over a grey shirt.

Lee Hall developed the film script from a play he wrote for Newcastle’s Live Theatre

Directed by Stephen Daldry, who also directed The Hours, The Reader and The Crown, the film was shot in and around Easington Colliery, renamed Everington for the screen.

Set against the brutal backdrop of the 1984 miners’ strike, the comedy-drama told the story of a working-class lad determined to overcome prejudice and poverty to pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Jamie Bell made his debut in the title role, with Julie Walters as his formidable dance teacher.

Hall developed Billy Elliot for the cinema from a play he wrote for Newcastle’s Live Theatre, originally called Dancer.

The success of his screenplay catapulted him onto the international stage in 2000.

“Doing Billy Elliot opened lots of doors,” he said.

“I have been able to work with lots of amazing people over the years.

“It shares the stories of growing up when I was a kid with people all over the world, and there is a huge privilege in that.”

Working Title / BBC Films A scene from the film Billy Elliot shows him up in the air while he is mid jump on a street next to a brown brick wall. He is wearing black shorts and shoes, white socks and a blue shirt over a blue and white striped t-shirt. A pair of white trainers in hanging around his neck. Working Title / BBC Films

Jamie Bell made his debut in the leading role

The film’s cultural impact was immediate, grossing more than £70m worldwide.

In 2005, Hall teamed up with Elton John to adapt it into a stage musical.

That show went on to win 10 Tony Awards, four Olivier Awards and continues to tour globally, from Broadway to Seoul.

“It is one of those amazing things that keeps growing,” Hall said.

“That is the thing about art. It can be really specific and really local but can have this universal, wide appeal and Billy Elliot is one of those things.”

So what about the film itself – a movie that moved millions and was named by the BFI as one of the greatest British films of all time?

“I haven’t seen the film in a long time,” Hall admitted.

“But I have seen the musical hundreds of times…in all different ways, in all different nationalities.

“It’s thrilling to see. I saw a Japanese production with kabuki actors that was just incredible – it had me bawling my eyes out!”

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