Strictly Ballroom Selected Key Scenes Analysis

Scene 1 (DVD Chapter 1)

The Southern Districts Waratah Championship
This scene represents the benefits of belonging to a group the dancers are
represented as glamorous and moving in harmony.
The first interruption to the harmony is Scotts mother shouting Come on a
hundred! This is the first instance of satire- Luhrmann is making fun of the
desperation and ugliness involved in such competitions.
Scott is represented as a champion, one who truly belongs to this world of
competitive dancing.
Establishing Shot: Red curtains, dancers in
silhouette behind a glass door
Music: The Blue Danube Waltz, composed by
Strauss (Famously used in the legendary 1968
science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Costumes and Make-Up: Elaborate ball gowns,
symbolic colours used for different characters.
Close up shots of extravagant stage make-up
Symbolism: Scott is Number 100, symbolic of
perfection.

Scene State Championship

(DVD Chapter 6)
This scene accentuates the contrast between
the competitive Dance Federation and the
natural artistic expression of Scott and Fran.
The meeting of the Dance Federation leaders is
held at a table above the other competitors,
symbolising their separation.
Scott and Fran dance backstage. Their dance is
natural and spontaneous. It is part of the
narrative as it represents the development of
their relationship and their separation from the
Federation.
Close up, low angle shots are used to make Barry Fife and the Dance Federation leaders
seem evil. Barry Fifes face seems a bold red colour.They are caricatures.
Setting - The venue of the competition is full of neon lights and poker machines, representing
the artificial, unnatural world of the competition.
Characterisation - Tina Sparkle represents the unnatural ideal of the competition. Even her
name is cartoonish.
Music Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps symbolises the developing romance between Scott and
Fran, and also Scotts decision to abandon his family and dance studios wishes in order to
pursue his artistic vision.

Scene Final Scene

Pan Pacific Grand Prix
(DVD Chapter 11)
Scott is represented as
back where he belongs?
Mise en scene and music
mirror the first scene.
Music: Waltz

Liz dismisses Fran as Back in Beginners where

she belongs
The close ups of Scott and Fran, accompanied
by Spanish guitar music, demonstrate his guilt at
his betrayal of his vision and ideals.
The tension builds as the dancers prepare for the
Open Latin Final

Doug desperately tries to convince Scott not to make the

same mistake he did, despite Shirleys protest.
Doug - It cost us our dream Shirley.
It was the dancing that mattered.

We lived our lives in fear!

Use of sound (1:15:56 1:16:36)
Scott spins around as he hears
his fathers words echo
throughout the stadium. There
is no music, only Dougs voice
echoing. This emphasises the
power of these words for Scott.
Dougs words echo the maxim
Fran taught Scott earlier in the
film: A life lived in fear is a life
half lived

Barry: Thats the future of dancesport and no-one but no-ones gonna change that!
Scotts triumphant slide onto the dancefloor. Symbolises his resistance to the conformity of
the Federation.
Scotts movement across the screen is from right to left, the opposite direction to the
traditional reading path. This emphasises his individuality.

Fran is now in an elaborate dress, Scott a detailed matador jacket.

When Barry tries to cut off the music, he is stopped by Les, Wayne, the children,
and eventually Liz.
Doug initiates the clapping which provides the music for Scott and Fran to continue
dancing.

The fairytale is complete when Scott and Fran kiss.

The dancefloor is filled with dancers, audience members, adults and children.
The red curtain closes.

24:09 Spa-Arama