Review of Utopia (2013) by Christopher H — 06 Jul 2014

John Pilger's dissection of the modern status of Indigenous Australians in the "post-apology" world can be preachy at times, and doesn't really offer an answer to go with all of the criticism, but you'd be blind to not receive the message that this documentary is spreading.

The Indigenous population of Australia was all but decimated when European settlers (mostly from Great Britain), and in the years since have suffered from massacres, genocide attempts, stolen generations and a political status as non persons. The issue came to life during the first John Howard ministry in the late 90's and early 00's, and a formal apology was administered by Howard's predecessor Kevin Rudd. However, social issues abound within the Indigenous community to this very day, and government responses come under nearly constant criticism.

This movie highlights the criticism, canvassing views from Indigenous community elders, as well as prominent politicians such as Rudd, Warren Snowden, Mal Brough, and, in archive footage, Howard and Gina Rineheart. As an interviewer, Pilger wears his heart on his sleeve, with his own personal opinion as obvious as any of Michael Moore's. But, the enthusiasm for the topic is infectious, and as a viewer, you go away doubting Australia's self-proclaimed title of "The Lucky Country" is anything but a bald faced lie.

8/10.