Klasse 9

Rabbit-Proof Fence

Film review

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This film rewiev was created by Robin Ort, 9c

"Rabbit-Proof Fence" a movie with exceptional powerful emotions showing three brave girls on a long walk home through the dry desert of Western Australia. The film is about one of the brutal conflicts between the native population called Aborigines and the white people in the first half of the 20th century. Since 1770, the white settlers arrived by ship, many terrible arguments are reasons for a difficult relationship with violence and suppression. In the end, many Aborigines lost their home, their family, their tribe, their traditions, their freedom and often their life. In the 20th century, mixed-race children, that means that they're offspring of an aboriginal mother and a light-skinned father, were taken into special camps, where they learn to be workers or domestic servants. The three main characters of the film are victims of this terrible circumstance. The script is based on a true story. This fact makes the film far more touching. The leads are Daisy, Gracie and Molly, three aboriginal children between 8 and 14 years and A. O. Neville, chief protector of the aboriginal population. The two sisters Molly and Daisy and their cousin Gracie live with their tribe in touch with nature. Having worked on the rabbit-proof fence, their fathers moved on. Separating Australia, the fence should keep the unwanted rabbit plague on one side and the animals of the farmers on the other side. The three mixed-race girls enjoy their life in freedom, but it will be changing soon. One day, A. O. Neville orders Constable Riggs, one of his men, to take the girls by force to a camp. In A. O. Neville's opinion, he helps the Aborigines by breeding out the dark skin. Even though the girls try to run away, Riggs catches them and they're brought to Moore River Native Settlement. There are nuns and guardians teaching them to live like white people and change their culture. Although the girls are very intimidated and quite puzzled, they can't stand the strict structure and start a successful attempt to escape. Molly decides to lead the two younger girls along the rabbit-proof fence. With Molly's strong, unbroken mind, they're able to walk 1500 miles through the desert back home, tracked by A.O. Neville's (Kenneth Branagh) men. "Rabbit-Proof Fence" gives the people information about a dark political century with many mistakes o the part of the Australian government. The leads' amazing acting is one reason for the success of the movie and many awards. Especially the performances of Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan playing Molly, Daisy and Gracie are unbelievably awesome, given the fact that they didn't make any experiences with movies before. The director Phillip Noyce, who had success with some other projects before, focuses the content on powerful emotions and the terrible damage caused by A. O. Neville. The story and the acting are supported not only by a haunting soundtrack, but also by appropriate camera angles, field sizes and great lightning. The atmosphere is shown by dramatic sound effects and stunning images. Overall, director, actors and cinematographer made a fantastic film. A strong spirit and a lot of hope and courage fight against violence and unfairness. At the end of the movie there are a few words about the future of the girls and the consequences of the suppression and the destruction of the aboriginal culture. The damage hasn't been removed yet.