Review of Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) by Naische F — 01 Sep 2008

Good return to form from Australian director Phillip Noyce ('Dead Calm') after some dissapointing Hollywood big-budgets ('The Saint'). This is about the story of some aborignal children who are taken away from their home in 1930s Australia and sent to be assimilated in a residential school.

They eventually escape across vast distances. Kenneth Branagh is the chief official who is responsible for their capture and strong advocate for the residential school system. Very stunning cinematography (the Australian outback) and musical score (courtesy of Peter Gabriel).

I was reminded of Roeg's 'Walkabout' of the 1970s that had some similarities with children trekking across vast distances in the outback accompanied by a very lush muscial score (John '007' Barry).

Overall, nothing shocking, politically speaking, but maybe for newcomers to historical events. The film is alright while it is playing, it never bores or slows down and is brief at around 90mins. But somehow, it is hard to remember anything afterwards.

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