It's been a while since I posted about a movie. Well after seeing Rabbit-Proof Fence I was moved to write about it. The (based on a true) story takes place in 1931 Australia. The Australian government has a policy of assimilating 'half-caste' (mixed-race) children by snatching them from their (black) parents and raising them in boarding/training schools. The government's plan is based on the theory that they can better these people by 'breeding the black out of them' over time. The story focuses on three girls who escape from one of these schools and walk more than 1,000 miles in an effort to be reunited with their families. All the while they are outfoxing police and a professional tracker who are determined to return them to the school. For a more detailed review, check out what Roger Ebert had to say about the movie.
This story is fascinating to me for a couple reasons. I've only recently heard of some of the racial issues in Australia. The story clearly shows some parallels to the history of the Americas (Brasil, U.S.A., Caribbean, etc.). The plight of the aboriginal people is the obvious one. But also the racial strife and the resistance to assimilation.
I really think this was one of the best movies of 2002, yet it was way under most people's radar. In my opinion it should have been nominated for Academy awards for cinematography and best score, at the very least. And probably for best director too. I purposely waited to see this film on DVD because I figured that there would be some good bonus features included. I was not disappointed in that respect. There's a 'making of' documentary on the disc that is almost as gripping as the movie itself. The three lead actresses had never even acted before. (The youngest girl gives an incredible audition!) You get to see the whole casting process, as well as how the girls reacted to learning about this painful episode in their people's history for the first time. Bottom line - go see this movie! And if your local video store doesn't have it (like my local Hollywood Video... wtf?), try NetFlix, or Amazon. Oh, there's a lot of related info on the movie's official site.
That sounds like a very enlightening movie. I will put it on my Netfilx list or buy it if the local Wal-mart has it. ;-)
If you watched the Olympics in Australia, the "native Australians"(Aboriginals) were fevorishly backing one of their own during the competitions. It was the first time an Aboriginee was allowed to participate. Eventhough the media didn't touch on the Aboriginal plight, there was a bit of foreshodowing there. One would have to think that it was a racial issue or for some reason, the Aboriginees were not interested in competing in the Olympics.
Yeah, the link in paragraph 2 was alluding to that very same athlete.
I'll bet that Wal-Mart doesn't have the movie.
Yeah, that's her. I just read the article.
Great review. I'm even more intrigued. This may be one for the archives... :-)
Well, I hope it's better than "The Gods Must Be Crazy"
I first heard of this madness when I was reading up on Australia before travelling there in 2000. I found out more when I got there. Aboriginal people in Australia are poorer than poor - it's a damn shame.
Amazing how each colonial power has its own twist to racial destruction, but each one is destructive nonetheless?
On a related note, I just found this photo library of indigenous cultures.
Yes that athleat from Austrlaia is Kathy Freeman, she won the 400m sprint for Australia and is the first Aborignal to do so. If the movie the Rabbit Proof Fence can't be purchased at walmart the book is readily availble and is also a good read.
Ok look guys... I'm from Australia, Perth in fact, where this movie is set. Cathy Freeman was not the "first" Aboriginal to be "allowed" to participate in the olympics. There have been many great or not so great Aboriginal sportsmen and women. Additionally, Cathy has won the 400m another time during the 1996/92 (i can't remember). olympics. The events in the movie have long passed now, and although some issues still linger, many such as the assimilation issue have been resolved. Unfortunately, some Aboriginals are very poor, and this is due to having no education in a world that requires it, as well as things such as substance abuse. But this is really the minority... Just thought i'd put an insiders opinion in to enlighten you...