Rabbit-Proof Fence

Journeys notes

Rabbit Proof Fence

Film, Phillip Noyce director, 3 half caste girls taken from their family to be assimilated, 1200 mile journey home

Journeys can be forced upon you by others
Being forced into the car - reaction shots of girls and family, horror of force - close up facial shots of girls, distant family – filmed through glass to show separation

Journeys can be intimidating and threatening
Girls in cage- Molly looking up at guard.
Point of view shot showing bars and to imply the imposing nature of people facilitating change.
Called to front of assembly- shallow sharp breathing, heart beat, signs of molly’s vulnerability.
Mr. Neville’s unfamiliar face looking down on molly- camera from molly’s POV.
Mr.
Neville Threat to molly’s world
Narrowing path low level camera angle- threatening

Here are many obstacles to overcome during a journey
Terrain- long shot convey harshness and enormity of landscape
Girls collapse camera pans away from girls to show them as merely a speck in the vast landscape.
Physical endurance- long shots of landscape continuing on and on.
People tracking girl’s down-
Moodoo- minimal dialogue reinforces molly’s strength of character and longing to return home. “She pretty clever that girl. She wants to go home”
Neville- maps and ordered comfortable office juxtaposition to girls
Shots different to documentary style of camera dollying following girls, stationary at strange angles- looking up at Neville to show he is an authority figure over the girls

We often need the assistance of others during our journeys
Aboriginal hunter- food and matches
White fence worker- tells of shortcut
Station owner- coats and food
Moodoo- lets girls escape
Spirit bird- reoccurring motif- molly’s assistance during low points in the journey. (eagle)
Sparse dialogue “Jigalong. Proper long way.”
Camera -Point of view shots shows what molly is seeing - distorted camera heat of desert

In Rabbit-Proof Fence symbolism is used to provide that message of support. There is a connection set up between Molly and her mother through the totem bird. Molly is told “He will always look after you”. The totem bird then becomes a symbol of hope, and a reminder that their mother is waiting for them. This becomes a fundamental part of their inspiration whilst on the journey. Also the continual reference to ‘home’ and ‘mother’ is used to rekindle their spirits and encourage them throughout their travel.

The girls in Rabbit-Proof Fence move from Moore River to Jigalong station solely on foot, despite the extreme conditions and the extraordinary length.
This movement is conveyed through the repeated shots displaying the girls walking or close-ups of their feet. Another camera technique used to great effect, to display the movement of the girls, is the tracking shot. This is where the camera moves with the subject. This effect is used many times throughout the film, particularly in the abduction scene, which is the beginning of all journeys for the girls. The shot assists in communicating the movement of the girls, as the responder is taken on the journey, which builds a greater understanding of the environment and the journey
itself.
Without sufficient knowledge of the destination and the direction in which to get there, it becomes incredibly difficult to stay on track and to reach their goals in the shortest time possible. Both Salles and Noyce use extreme long shots and panoramic shots not only to set up the environmental context but also to highlight the size of the area and the unfamiliarity of the character within it. These shots show the characters as they appear to be extremely vulnerable, making it easy to lose their way. This lack of direction prolongs and extends the physical journey and only contributes more to the fatigue and tiredness that is suffered.
In each physical journey fatigue becomes the main problem, and possibly the hardest to overcome. This is where their motivation and inspiration played a vital role in the completion of their journey. heavy breathing from the girls in Rabbit-Proof Fence. This also shows how they are tiring and the physical impact of the journey. In addition, there are many close ups of their feet. This implies fatigue and highlights the hardship of the physical journey.

We learn that motivation is vital for both the beginning of the journey and the perseverance to complete it.
We learn that physical journeys can change a person’s emotional and intellectual status, as well as their understanding of the world. Through the movement of the journey, combined with the challenges they face and the ways in which they respond to them, their personal growth and development is extended and they become a far worldlier person. The Motorcycle Diaries and Rabbit-Proof Fence show us that yes, physical journeys are hard, tiring and sometimes monotonous, but there is always something positive that will result from
them.

- The recurring eagle, which appears throughout the movie, is said to be a spirit bird, which symbolises the girls freedom - Fence normally about division, with girls its about connection - Fence is symbolism for: o Connection o Map o Guidance
Molly confronts the physical extremes of the Australian outback and has to draw on the skills of her indigenous culture, the very skills that the government wants to eradicate. Molly arrives home a more mature and confident girl than the person she was at the start of the movie. Her wisdom and awareness having grown. . It is important to understand that while physical journeys are physical, they also help individuals to grow, develop and mature and while journeys do, at some point, have to end, it is not the ending but the process of the journey that is important.