Echoes of Dreams: Two Films, One Heart
On a recent flight back to Lijiang, I found myself re-watching the film Billy Elliot. It was during this second viewing that I was struck by the uncanny similarities it shares with October Sky. It’s almost as if they were cut from the same cloth.
The Allure of the Uncommon Path
Billy Elliot tells the story of a young boy from a struggling mining family who discovers a passion for ballet. Despite facing societal expectations and his family’s initial disapproval, Billy bravely pursues his dream, ultimately becoming a successful ballet dancer.
October Sky, on the other hand, follows Homer Hickam, a high school student from a coal-mining town who dreams of building rockets. Despite his humble background, Homer’s fascination with the sky and rocketry fuels his determination. The film beautifully portrays his love for scientific exploration, his unwavering resolve to achieve his dreams, and the touching relationships he forges along the way, including the complex dynamic with his father.
Both films center around young boys in their early teens, set against the backdrop of coal-mining towns in the last century. The core narrative revolves around their pursuit of unconventional dreams – one aspiring to dance ballet, the other to build rockets.
Predictably, these boys’ unconventional aspirations clash with the conservative environment of their mining communities, creating a compelling tension.
Beyond Inspiration: The Power of Acceptance
For me, the true heart of both films lies not just in the boys’ triumph over adversity, but in the transformation of the fathers. Initially acting as obstacles to their sons’ dreams, they gradually shift from the opposing side to become silent supporters. This subtle shift resonates deeply.
I find myself easily empathizing with these stories, having grown up in a relatively conservative city where “small wealth and contentment” is the prevailing life motto, and venturing far from home is often discouraged.
When, over two decades ago, I decided to pursue my dream of traveling the world, the pressure on my parents was immense. While other parents saw their sons diligently following the “right path,” their son was seemingly just “playing.” This, I believe, became a source of anxiety for them.
The Pivotal Moment: A Father’s Pride
Both films culminate in powerful scenes involving the fathers. In Billy Elliot, the father watches his son perform as the lead in Swan Lake for the first time. In October Sky, the father joins his son in pressing the button to launch the rocket.
Sitting on the plane with my eyes closed, I pondered what the climax of my own story might be.
It wasn’t my parents attending my book signing that first came to mind. Instead, it was the memory of my father, at our company’s anniversary celebration, taking more photos and videos with his phone than the professional photographer. He was occupied all night.
In that moment, I realized that I had finally become a source of pride for him, something he could boast about to his old comrades and colleagues. The pressure he had carried for so long seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of relief.
And so, under the October sky of Lijiang, I danced in my own world…