Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Lee Hall. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1984–85 coal miners' strike in the North East of England, and follows Billy, a working-class boy who discovers a passion for ballet.The film challenges gender stereotypes in a number of ways. Firstly, it features a male protagonist who is interested in a typically female activity. This challenges the idea that only women can be interested in ballet, and shows that men can enjoy and be good at ballet too. Secondly, the film portrays ballet as a tough, physically demanding activity, which challenges the stereotype that ballet is a delicate, easy activity. This is significant as it shows that ballet is not just for women, but for anyone who is willing to work hard and put in the effort. Finally, the film also features a number of strong female characters, who are shown to be just as tough and determined as the men.