Belonging in Strictly Ballroom

Explores many negative aspects of belonging. The focus is on Belonging to a group

and the herd instinct involved in group behaviour. Within the Dance Federation
world competitiveness, bitchiness and conformity abound.

Explores the notion of belongers people obsessed with belonging who prefer not to
think for themselves.

Shows the pain felt by those excluded from the group, eg Fran.

Shows the disastrous effect conformity and fear have among belongers who gain
their place inside the group at the price of conformity. Shirley Hastings, for example,
lives a life half-lived cowering before what Barry Fife will say or think. She has let
the Federation so dominate her that she has no respect for Doug and can only see
her son Scott in terms of winning competitions

Can be seen as a parable about multicultural Australia. At first the Anglo-Australians

control the Federation, make the rules, delegate Fran
(Franjepannydellasquiggymop) to role of abused outsider and close ranks against
any possibility of change. The last scene reverses all this as both Doug and Frans
grandmother are included in the dancing. The clapping of the crowd started by
Doug, then picked up by Frans father and grandmother is carried on by the crowd,
enabling Scott and Fran to dance at the crowds insistence, no longer under the
control of the corrupt Barry Fife.

Explores the contrast between authentic belonging where people speak and act
from the heart and an artificial, rule-obsessed style of Belonging. Likewise dance as
romantic, authentic, joyous activity is contrasted with the conservative rule-bound
world of Barry Fife and his committee that decides what is strictly Ballroom. Fran
and Scott symbolise true belonging where dance and passion flow naturally together
and are set in contrast with the highly artificial dancers like Ken, Tina Sparkles and
Liz.

Could be read as a cheerful, upbeat, satirical parable tracing the shift from a world
of false belonging dominated by conformity, fear and the cynical manipulations of
the ultra-sleaze Barry Fife, towards the iconic last scene where the line between
spectators and professional dancers blurs and is dissolved as Scott dressed in
Spanish-matador costume and Fran in Spanish-style red dress put passion back into
dance, rescuing it from the deadening effect of the old brigade. Arguably the last
scene enacts a vision of a more inclusive Australia that has gained freedom by
including its newcomers and learning from them.