A Reflection On The Movie The Rabbit Proof Fence
The ‘Rabbit-proof fence’ is a 2002, 8 times award winning adventure/drama movie directed and composed by Phillip Noyce, based off of the book written by Doris Pilkington Garimara on the stolen generation. This movie was very well received, grossing 16 million dollars in the box office. Set in 1931, it stars 3 half-caste girls (half Aboriginal and half English) Molly (played by Everlyn Sampi), Gracie (played by Laura Monaghan), and Daisy (played by Tianna Sansbury). This movie follows the amazing true story of how they were taken away from their home in Jigalong in the heart of Western Australia to the Moore River Native Settlement, some 2000 km away, as per the Assimilation policy, where the government’s intention was to force Half-caste aboriginal to adopt white society. When they get to the settlement, they are forced to forget their own identity and take up western culture, including Christianity. They weren’t even allowed to use their own language, “We don’t use that gibberish here!” they decide to escape and under the cover of a thunderstorm, they leave the settlement. They struggle through tough, unforgiving terrain, using the rabbit proof fence as their guide, trying to get back home where they belong.
Director Phillip Noyce has made an amazing movie, perfectly balancing the audience’s attention, very dire themes and aboriginal culture, all while weaving a story about happiness, love, heartbreak and determination. The actors convinced me that they were really there, and Everlyn Sampi was outstanding, creating a convincing and realistic bond between her character, molly, and Gracie and Daisy. And, to add icing on the cake, the 3 main characters had no prior acting experience! Yet they were able to carry the movie amazingly. The set design was done expertly, with scenes like them being carried on the train to the Moore River Native Settlement hand crafted perfectly, as well as the representation of the change of scenery meaning a change of culture. The main problem that I had with it was how the movie decided to portray aborigines. There was a lot more going on in aboriginal life than the fine and dandy picture the movie painted of them. But that was a pretty small nit-pick compared to how good the movie was. I gave it 4 stars.
The main theme of the movie, in my opinion, is the division between the Europeans and the Aboriginal people. Mr Neville (portrayed by Kenneth Branagh) is the Chief protector of aboriginals, and is, in a way, the main antagonist. His belief is that aborigines are a disease and that they need to be eradicated or enslaved for their white superiors. One of his ideas was that if you breed Half-castes with other white people, by the 3rd generation, “... The black would have simply been, bred out…”. The divide between them is made even more apparent with Moodoo, (played by David Gulpili) the aboriginal tracker sent by Mr Neville to catch the girls. In the beginning of the movie, we hear a conversation between Moodoo and Mr Neville, where we find out that Moodoo’s daughter was in the settlement. Moodoo had asked to leave the settlement to go back home to his tribe in the Kimberley’s, but Mr Neville said that he could not take his daughter, something that he would not say to a white man who had given him that much service.
Phillip Noyce has a masterful knowledge of film techniques, using camera angles to portray things that would seem out of place if it were just said (show don’t tell). For example, he liked utilising wide shots of the desert to show how tough and long the journey was. Another camera angle that he used was low shots looking up at people. The first time we see this being used it when a white man comes to take Molly, Gracie and Daisy. The camera panned up from a low point to see the gun on his hip, showing how the white people thought of themselves as above aboriginal people. Also, when they were on the train to the Moore River Native Settlement, it had a first person view of Molly, where she was looking up at a white person’s face that was full of contempt for her and for aborigines. This camera trick was also used when she was walking up to Mr Neville, the camera moving like it was us walking towards him. The church was in the background, a silent reminder of western culture and the things that she didn’t believe in (another example of show don’t tell), as she slowly made her way up to a well-meaning man, but the man who trapped her all the same. It makes you feel like you are really there.
In conclusion, this movie is amazing and is, quite honestly, one of my favourites. it is a must see for all Australians, as it sheds a new light on a part of history that most people have never seen before. I think that the target audience is mid to late 20’s and 30’s, with the exception of 10 – 15 year olds learning about the stolen generation in school. I would not recommend it to kids under the age of 7, as the themes and some imagery is inappropriate for younger audiences. This is an all-round great movie, with great actors, a great set design and a believable storyline.
