Review of Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) by Justin T — 30 Jan 2010

Rabbit Proof Fence is an intense and disturbing recollection of an era in Australia?s past that most are unaware of. Set in the early 1930?s, a new government policy is written to strip half-caste children from their parents and take them to camps in order to be trained as indentured servants. The movie seems to be portrayed in the point of view of three girls that are taken from their mother and aunt in the beginning of the movie. The girls are taken to a camp where they are forced to recite prayer and live in a Christian environment. The movie does not go into a lot of detail about the Aboriginal religion. However, in the beginning of the movie, an eagle is referred to as the ?spirit of the wind? to give the viewer some indication of the Aboriginal religion and faith in nature. It is clear that the Christian influence is uncomfortable to these children in the camp. The oldest of the three girls, named Molly assumes responsibility for her younger sister and cousin. The girls escape from the camp and finds the rabbit proof fence that goes on for miles and they use it as a guide home because Molly knows that if she follows the fence that they will eventually return to their village. This is not an easy task, and ends up being a very long and arduous trek for the girls. When the camp realizes that they?re gone a tracker, the local government officials, and Mr. Neville played by Kenneth Branah begin their hunt for the girls unaware that the children are using the fence as a guide home. The girls pass by farms and villages on their way back and run into many problems. At one point they are forced to stealing food and clothes to survive. Everyone was amazing in their roles throughout movie. It touches on certain issues that many of us want to turn our heads at and ignore such as racism and children forcefully being taken from their mothers. Overall, it is a great portrayal of a little known aspect in Australian history.

I think this movie relates to my study of World Religions because of the fundamentalism shown in it. By forcing the Aborigine children to practice Christianity instead of their indigenous ways, it shows the lack of pluralism and close-mindedness in the world during that time period. I think there has been progress, but it is my belief that all religions should have a right to existence even if they are misunderstood or abnormal to social norms. This movie is a testament to the need for reform to protect indigenous societies globally.