Rabbit Proof Fence
Different stories have their own features and techniques, which assist them in communicating their ideas more clearly. This report will take a closer look on ‘The Rabbit Fence’, directed by Philip Noyce.
Summary
The movie is composed of two journeys that three Aborigines, Molly, Gracie and Daisy faced. The first journey is filled with emotions, especially when the three girls were forcibly removed from their family from Jigalong to the ‘Mooreriver Native Settlement’. In the settlement the aboriginal children were forced to accept and adopt to the Australian standard and culture, such as only allowed to speak English, regular time for meal, church, sleep, etc. Thus Molly felt uncomfortable, thereifre she decided to run away along with her sisters. That’s where the second journey began. It describes the route taken from Moore River back to Jigalong. At that particular time Molly faced many challenges as well as difficulties. Such as encouraging Gracie not to go separate ways as a man told her that their mother was at the station, finding comfort, food, shelter, protection for herself and her sisters. Thus Molly had experienced an inner journey as she has to take more responsibility. At the end, Molly achieved it to get back home, but unfortunately she lost one : Gracie.
Features
Music is used to create and influence the mood as well as emotions of the audience.
As an example, in the beginning of the movie there was a traditional aboriginal tribal music played, which makes the audience aware that they are watching a movie involving Aborigines. Another one was in the ‘removal scene’. The music played at that particular scene was hectic, loud and uncomfortable and symbolizes danger. Implementing this technique allows the audience to easily create an emotional response, since they may have realized how painful and cruel it was for the Aborigines.
The movie as well contains of different character with different personalities, in order to convey a particular message and to make the story more ‘colourful’.
Molly, as the main character, was shown as wise. In the second journey she met a man, telling her that their mother was at the station but she did not easily believed a stranger. Nevertheless she also carried characteristics of care ness and responsibility. as she did protect and take care of her sisters, such as providing shelter, food and protection. Additionally, audience may have realized her ‘tough’ side, as she walked 1500 miles through a desert with 2 small children and didn’t give up.
On the other hand, Gracie was stubborn. Molly told her not to go to the station, but she resisted and was captured there, which also shows that she can be easily influenced. However, she is not a ‘risk-taker’, as she firstly was not brave enough to run away from the Mooreriver Settlement. Another character, Mr Neville was shown as cruel and egoistic, as he didn’t consider the feelings of the Aborigines when breaking their family apart and also didn’t consider that they may not be able to recover the pain and suffer. Additionally Constable Riggs was as well cruel and egoistic, as he also did not consider the feelings and effects it has on the Aborigines. He’s also acting like a dictator, as he said:’ There’s nothing you can do, old woman. Nothing you can do.’, which shows that people had to follow his command or action. Moreover, he is also not initiative enough as he only does what his leader told him to do instead of evaluating his actions.
Using several camera techniques assists in communicating certain ideas and sometimes allows the audience to feel as they would be part of particular scenes.
Tracking shots were used in the removal scene, where the women and the children were running away from the car, which makes the viewer feels as if they are being chased as well. This builds empathy between the viewer and the characters. Nevertheless, in the same scene cuts were also used. Moving from inside the car (the girl’s view) to the view from the outside looking in (through the eyes of the mother) gives the viewer an insight into how both the child and the adults must be feeling. Additionally close-ups can be found at that particular scene, in which the camera moves from the constable’s face to the children’s faces to show their fear, thus helping the viewer to focus on the emotions of the situation. It also communicates the concentration and determination of the constable, and the fear of the children.
Conclusion
Different techniques have different purpose as well as different impact on the viewer. While music and sound effects tend to influence the mood and emotions as well as to build some anxiety and tension, camera techniques and different characters tend to convey particular messages and allows the viewer to feel to be a part of the story. Nevertheless, they all aimed to assist in communicating the message the author wishes the audience to understand and evaluate.