During class we are going to be watching the fictional film Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002). We will be comparing this film with key scenes from the non-fictional documentary Stolen Generations (2000). Your job is to compare these two texts and look particular at who's perspective is being represented and how have the created chosen to do this.
Below are some links to find out more information about Rabbit Proof Fence - find out as much information as you can. |
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Rabbit-Proof Fence was generally well received and won multiple awards for the year following its release.
David Stratton described it as a “bold and timely film about the stolen generations.” He also said, “This is the film that took the story of the stolen generations to the world.” To watch his full review see link below. |
In 2009 The Australian article Rabbit-Proof Fence Praised as Trailblazer, Sally Riley said director Phillip Noyce's Rabbit-Proof Fence, the first indigenous story to reach a wide cinema audience in 2002, paved the way for the success of Samson and Delilah (another critically-acclaimed film about Aboriginal people.
"Phillip did a really good job at that time to get the audiences he got -- eight years ago, people weren't seeing indigenous films that much," Riley said. See link below for full article. |
Criticism of the filmBased on the book Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington-Garimara, Molly’s daughter, the film has received criticism for being inaccurate. According to the historian (Keith Windschuttle), Molly and Gracie were removed from their families on the Jigalong Depot more than 75 years ago because of their "sexual activity with white men working in the area”. You can read the details of this criticism in The Australian Article (link on the right)
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"That is the big lie of the film. Neville did not use child removal in order to breed out the race." - The Australian The SBS article below also looks at inaccuracy of the film.
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molly kellyIn 2004 Molly Kelly, the woman who inspired the film Rabbit-Proof Fence passed away at the age of 87.
"The woman whose 1,000-mile childhood trek across the Australian outback inspired the 2002 film Rabbit-Proof Fence has died in the country's far north-west.Molly Kelly was just 14 in 1931 when she led her eight-year-old sister Daisy and 11-year-old cousin Gracie on a nine-week journey through some of the harshest country on earth to return to their home in Jigalong, in Western Australia's Pilbara mountains. It was there that she died during an afternoon nap on Tuesday, aged 87." (The Guardian) |
See link below for full article and details of the life lived by Molly Kelly.
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Now we need to compare the fictional film Rabbit-Proof Fence with the non-fiction documentary Stolen Generations. This documentary was directed by Darlene Johnson, an Australian Aborigine of the east-coast Dunghutti people of NSW, born in Sydney.
The documentary focuses on the stolen generation and tells three stories of Aboriginal people who were removed from their homes in the 1950s and 1960s. These three people include; Bobby Randall, Cleonie Quayle and Daisy Howard. Read more about these people below.
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Above is the trailer for Stolen Generations. We will be looking at just 3 clips from this film. Links to these clips can be found below.
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historyIt is important to research the Stolen Generation during this Outcome. A good place to start is Australians Together website
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"Between 1910-1970, many Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families as a result of various government policies. The generations of children removed under these policies became known as the Stolen Generations. The policies of child removal left a legacy of trauma and loss that continues to affect Indigenous communities, families and individuals." |
perspectiveOne of the major differences between these texts is the perspective we are gaining as the audience. Rabbit-Proof Fence, whilst showing Mr Neville’s reasons for doing what he does, ultimately portrays his actions as being emotionally removed from the situation. We are shown the girls’ perspective and are asked to empathise with their traumatic experience and being ripped from their mother and home. Who's perspective is being shown in the documentary Stolen Generation? What gives you this idea.
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homeThe girls frequently refer to home. When they say home, they are referring to much more than just a place; they mean family, connection to the land and animals, belonging and safety.
What production (CAMELS) were used to construct the representation of home? |