Rabbit Proof Fence free essay sample

Fence tells the true story of three Aboriginal girls who are forcibly removed from their families. Set in 1931, their removal was part of an official Australian government policy which removed ‘half caste’ children from their parents and placed them within institutions that trained these children to become domestic servants. The story centres on the three girls escape from the Moore River Settlement (the institution in which they are placed) and their incredible 1,500 mile journey home following the rabbit-proof fence. We can also consider how the generic structure of the Rabbit-Proof Fence affects the meaning. The use of Molly’s voice-over at the beginning of a film is a recurrent pattern in film making and occurs because of audience preference and the success of particular patterns of story telling. These patterns also reflect an audience’s cultural background. Many Australian feature films have for example adopted a documentary style narration or include a family member who supports the telling of the story. We will write a custom essay sample on Rabbit Proof Fence or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The inclusion of a voice over also reflects the fact that story telling is traditionally an oral activity in Aboriginal culture. * Rabbit-Proof Fence is quite comprehensible without a knowledge of Australian life and culture. Factors such as gender, ethnic background and economic status cut across the various levels and forms of education. A cultural and ideological approach to a film text however exposes assumptions about the way we live our lives. This film can therefore be read on one level as an exciting adventure story in which three innocent children make a daring escape from their captors. On a second level, a social and cultural study of the film will draw the viewer to consider what is meant by the Stolen Generation and consider the thinking behind official government policy of the period. * The first frame is a close up shot of Molly with her mother Maude. They are both looking upwards (watching the Spirit Bird which is out of shot). Early in the film the viewer is therefore positioned to see the spiritual nature of Aboriginal culture. The Spirit Bird later in the film becomes central to the girls’ ability to cross the desert. It acts as a spiritual guide, providing strength to endure, survive and succeed. * Archive footage is used to create authenticity in the construction of the setting (the city of Perth in Western Australia). The original black and white film has been coloured in a laboratory to add to the realism of the scene. Written codes are also applied to this frame. Frame two is a close up shot of a pen nib writing the word â€Å"Molly† on a card. Frame three juxtaposed with frame two is a low angle medium close up as Neville looks up from the card. The angle gives him power and authority. * The film ends (as it began) with the use of a documentary style narration. After witnessing the intense emotional impact of the girls return to Jigalong we hear directly from the real Molly and Daisy (as they are today : two old ladies reflecting back on their painful true story). The montage of shots all include sub-titles as Molly speaks in dialect. The montage begins in Mr. Neville’s office and moves from a silhouette shot of Molly, Daisy, Frinda and Maude from the film to a series of aerial landscape shots reflecting the immensity of their journey along the rabbit-proof fence. The montage concludes and the film ends with final frames of the real Molly and Daisy walking in mid-shot and concluding that they will never return to â€Å"that place. † Rabbit Proof Fence free essay sample Alabama† uses literary techniques such as symbolism, repetition and rhyme to express the journey being undertaken by Skynard. Each of these texts explore the notion that it is the journey, not the desitination that is important. The use of symbolism in Rabbit Proof Fence is used to explore the concept that the journey not the distination matters. Symbolism is the use of one object to represent a notion or other object. The inclusion of the spirit bird in the story explores the importance of religion to the girls and the importance of the journey. As mentiioined in an aearlier scene, the spirit bird appears (over the exhausted Molly and Gracie) and awakens them from their sleep. This is used to refer to hope and provides in indication that they will make it home, and will have spiritually benefited from their journey. The use of symbolism lends to the notion that it is indeed the journey, not the destination that matters. We will write a custom essay sample on Rabbit Proof Fence or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Different lighting techniques enable the notion of the journey being the thing that matters to be convery to the viewer. Lighting specific to the mood is used to infer location, time and the changing nature of the journey. The harsh brightness throughout the journey is a portrayal of the unforgiving locale and conditions needing to be overcome in order to reach the destination. The most relevant and important example of this being the pitch black used when the girls are reunited with Maud. This sued of darkness is used to imply the solemn nature of the arrival, and is accompanied by Molly’s statement â€Å"I lost one† which is indicativbe of the importance of the journey, rather than the final destination. Camera angles are used by Noyce to explore the idea that it is the journey, not the destination that matters. The panning long shot of the horizon (used at the commencement of the journey, when the three girls escape Moore River) is used to express the long difficult task at hand, and that in order to arrive home, they must over come a harsh terrain and long journey. The use of such varying camera angles sis indicative that it is the actual journey that matters, as oppose to the final destination. The â€Å"Rabbit Proof Fence† plays two vital roles throughout the journey of Molly, Daisy and Gracie, and is reflective of the importance of the journey. The fence is a representation of a map, as it is a symbol of home for the girls and provides a way in order for them to get home (following the fence). What is later revealed is that the fence has actually proven to be an obstacle, and that they have followed the wrong fence, and must change direction to get home. The ability of the girls to overcome this hurdle, and arrive home is again indicative of the notion that it is the journey – not the destination – that matters when undertaking a physical journey. The growth of Molly throughout the film reflects on the importance of the journey rather than the final outcome achieved. Molly is established from the beginning of the film as a key character, but her growth throughout the journey serves to reaffirm and strengthen this notion. We see her growth into a hunter, a supplier of food and water, and most importantly a maternal figure for her sister and cousin. This is most prominent in the arrival home, with her regretful statement, â€Å"I lost one† The physical journey undertaken enabled Molly to become more empowered, and provided a chance to hone the traditional skills of Aborigines, such as hunting, tracking and finding of water, and for this reason, the journey – not the destination – is what matters from a physical journey.