Journey In The Australian Film 'Rabbit Proof Fence'

The term journey implies travel. It is a progression, either physical, mental or spiritual. In the classic Australian film, Rabbit Proof Fence, released in 2000, Phillip Noyce recreates the authentic story of three young Aboriginal girls, Molly, Daisy and Gracie, and their miraculous journey back home, after being forcibly removed from their families and home at Jigalong. Noyce suggests two distinct journeys through his film including the physical journey of the three girls finding their way home but also, the viewer is taken on an intellectual journey as they learn about the attitudes and beliefs that underpinned policies concerning ‘half-caste’ children during the 1930s in Australia. Both the physical and intellectual journeys represented
The challenges and obstacles can face the traveller emotionally and spiritually. The result of the journey is often a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. In the opening scene for Rabbit Proof Fence, Noyce reveals the vast and formidable ratio of the Western Australia desert country. An aerial motion shot of the desert landscape displays the harsh, monotonous environment. The camera tilts up to a distant shot, showing the endless terrain. Viewers are informed of the drastic physical journey that awaits the girls. The three girls’ physical journey begins when Molly, Gracie and Daisy are literally dragged from their mothers arms and home in Jigalong by constable Riggs, forcing them into the car. Over 2400km away lies their destination, Moore River Settlement, they arrive terrified. When the Matron approaches, dressed in white, to take them to the dormatory, the girls huddle together and remain hesitant to follow her, they appear to think she is a ghost. After less than 24 hours of living in the settlement, Molly notices a storm brewing which results in the rain eliminating their tracks, in this moment, Molly decides they are going home. A hand held camera is following the girls through the trees as they run along the dirt to making their famous escape from the settlement, this positions the viewer as an invisible witness to their grave escape. Moments after their escape, an
In Rabbit Proof Fence, Noyce purposefully takes his viewers on an insightful, intellectual journey as they are exposed to the daunting policies, beliefs and attitudes towards indigenous people prevalent in Australia in the 1930s. The chief protector of Aboriginals at the time, Mr A.O Neville, exhibits the damaged relationship between Indigenous and non-indigenous people. Neville is portrayed as a powerful man with evil intentions, he is mainly captured sitting at his large desk in his dark office signing paperwork that permits the actions taken on innocent half-caste children and their families. He does not care about their well-being, “we bought them new shoes a year ago”, he refers to them as the “unwanted third race”. The confronting and brutal scene of when the three girls are torn from their home is easily the most effective, eye-opening part of the film. The families are seen going about their daily lives when a car rushes into the scene, out steps Constable Riggs, the mother grabs the children as they run for their lives. Screaming and crying mothers, hand held cameras and the raw, threatening music all adds to the intensity, making the viewer feel as if they are in the moment. Maximum resistance is used until the scene ends with the girls in the car and the mothers on the ground hitting their own heads and weeping. Viewers are forced to acknowledge the