Rabbit-Proof Fence (film)
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| Director(s) | Phillip Noyce |
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| Distributor | Miramax Home Entertainment |
| Honors | |
| Based on a true story, Rabbit-Proof Fence moves with dignified grace from its joyful opening scenes to a conclusion that’s moving beyond words. The title refers to a 1,500-mile fence separating outback desert from the farmlands of Western Australia. It is here, in 1931, that three aboriginal girls are separated from their mothers and transported to a distant training school, where they are prepared for assimilation into white society by a racist government policy. Gracie, Daisy, and Molly belong to Australia’s “stolen generations,” and this riveting film… | |
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Reviews
Amazon.com
Based on a true story, Rabbit-Proof Fence moves with dignified grace from its joyful opening scenes to a conclusion that’s moving beyond words. The title refers to a 1,500-mile fence separating outback desert from the farmlands of Western Australia. It is here, in 1931, that three aboriginal girls are separated from their mothers and transported to a distant training school, where they are prepared for assimilation into white society by a racist government policy. Gracie, Daisy, and Molly belong to Australia’s “stolen generations,” and this riveting film (based on the book by Molly’s daughter, Doris Pilkington Garimara) follows their escape and tenacious journey homeward, while a stubborn policy enforcer (Kenneth Branagh) demands their recapture. Director Phillip Noyce chronicles their ordeal with gentle compassion, guiding his untrained, aboriginal child actors with a keen eye for meaningful expressions. Their performances evoke powerful emotions (subtly enhanced by Peter Gabriel’s excellent score), illuminating a shameful chapter of Australian history while conveying our universal need for a true and proper home. —Jeff Shannon
Barnes and Noble
The true story of three Aboriginal girls’ bravery and determination is told with power in Rabbit-Proof Fence, an inspiring labor of love from director Phillip Noyce. The film is set in 1931, when an Australian government official (Kenneth Branagh) is authorized to remove “half-caste” children from their families and assimilate them into Caucasian bloodlines. The story follows three girls who escape from captivity to walk 900 miles back to their home village, where their mother awaits. Noyce lets nothing interfere with this simple and affecting drama. Instead, he relies on superb, unadorned performances. Branagh provides the star power, but his acting is a marvel of understatement, bringing a dry touch to his portrayal of a smug, horribly misguided bureaucrat. The three girls (all first-time actors) steal every scene, particularly Everlyn Sampi as the oldest, whose confident, mysterious charisma becomes the center around which the emotive force of the film revolves. Also striking is the performance of David Gulpilil as an Aboriginal tracker who pursues the girls wordlessly throughout the film. Although the girls are clearly shown to be victims of a systematic and tragic injustice, the film refuses to sentimentalize; while acknowledging victimization, it is more interested in celebrating the girls’ spirit and empowerment. Also adding to the film’s effect are camera work by virtuoso cinematographer Christopher Doyle and Peter Gabriel’s brilliant score, which is infused with native music and the sounds of the Outback. The result is a beautiful, haunting film that is nothing short of an instant classic. Gregory Baird
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