Rabbit Proof Fence
Review by By Clint Morris
 More
an open-book into history than an enjoyable journey, Phillip Noyce's
thought-provoking, and ultimately distressing Rabbit Proof
Fence is the inspired re-telling of three aboriginal children
forced from their homes and strained into camps without their mothers
in toiled times of 1931 Australia.
Noyce's film is based on the true story of
three girls - Molly, Gracie and Daisy (Evelyn Sampi, Laura Monaghan,
Tianna Sansbury): in 1931 they were forcibly detached from their
families at Jigalong Western Australia and taken to a camp 1500 miles
away at Moore River to be trained as conjugal servants, all part of
official Government policy.
Molly leads an impromptu escape from the
camp, fleeing towards a rabbit proof fence she knows will lead them
back to their mother in Jigalong.
Western Australia's Chief prosectutor of
Aboriginals, A.O Neville (Kenneth Branagh), is adamant that he will
recapture the girls; but when an experienced tracker and even the
authorities fail to tag the escapees - his plan looks more and more
foiled.
Rabbit Proof Fence is a
movie Australia needs to see. Up to 1970, this was
the state of our country's modus operandi - and Aboriginal children
(half-castes, to be exact) were pulled from the clutches of their
families to live and work in a white man's world. The stories of Molly,
Gracie and Daisy are just three of these tortured souls.
The performances of young Sampi, Monaghan
and Sansbury are amazing. They're immersing and compelling. Their race
back to their loved ones is a journey we couldn't have shared had the
young girl's been incapable of drawing in an audience. Additionally,
David Gulpilil works magic with his impressive portrayal of the tracker
Moodoo; and Kenneth Branagh is commanding as the film's central villain.
Whilst not a film to be relished; Rabbit
Proof Fence is an afternoon in a library of yesteryear events
- event's that should be remembered.
3.5 out of 5
Rabbit
Proof Fence
Australian release: Commences Thursday 21st February across Australia
Cast: Evelyn Sampi, Laura Monaghan, Tianna Sansbury, Kenneth Branagh,
Deborah Mailman, David Gulpilil, Gary McDonald.
Director: Phillip Noyce.
Website: Click here
Brought to you by MovieHole
|
