Australian Aborigines history is unfortunately only slightly less brutal than the history of the American Red Indians. While the aborigines were pushed out of their ancient lands much like the Indians were, the aborigines also had to suffer a racial purification process. Specially those that were 'half-castes' or born of a combination of aborigines and whites. It was believed that over a period, the half-castes can be 'thorough-bred' into pure whiteness. This led to hundreds of half-caste children, which were almost always living with the aborigines, to be abducted and sent to a mission school to be civilized.
Or so is believed.
This film is about the escape of one such group of girls from the school back to their home along the rabbit-proof fence.
Quite a departure for Mr. Noyce whose films often depict a more modern criminal intent (Dead Calm, Saint). This film is generally heart-wrenching without being sentimental. Incredibly low-key, it almost feels like a documentary. It makes one wonder how important the idea of Freedom really is and how its perception is different from person to person. It also brings to question, though not wittingly, whether the girls would have been better off being educated in the convent school rather than to return to the old world.
Or so is believed.
This film is about the escape of one such group of girls from the school back to their home along the rabbit-proof fence.
Quite a departure for Mr. Noyce whose films often depict a more modern criminal intent (Dead Calm, Saint). This film is generally heart-wrenching without being sentimental. Incredibly low-key, it almost feels like a documentary. It makes one wonder how important the idea of Freedom really is and how its perception is different from person to person. It also brings to question, though not wittingly, whether the girls would have been better off being educated in the convent school rather than to return to the old world.