Analysis Of The Film Rabbit-Proof Fence

The movie, Rabbit Proof Fence, directed by Phillip Noyce in 2002, is an Australian drama film based on the book Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara. It tells the true story of how three young mixed race aboriginal girls were forcibly taken from their families in 1931 by government authorities and placed in a camp called the Moore River Native settlement, located north of Perth. The reality of the Indigenous peoples’ mistreatment throughout history is captured through this film. The three girls, Molly, Daisy, and Gracie were part of what is now known as the stolen generation, however, these girls were special as they promptly escaped from custody under Molly’s lead. The film follows their remarkable journey as they set out to try and find their way home along the rabbit-proof fence whilst consistently outsmarting the authorities. This fence was designed as a barrier to keep good pasture land on one side and the rabbit plague on the other. Located through some of the harshest country on earth, the girls attempt to follow the fence for 1,500kms (nine weeks) to return to their home community, Jigalong.

This is firstly done through cinematography. Throughout the film there are vivid shots of the diverse terrains found in Australia. In the opening scene of Rabbit Proof Fence, the director makes effective use of extreme longshots to establish the Australian Outback with the shot turning into an aerial view and tilt shot upwards. This introduces the Australian Outback setting as a vast, beautiful, and remote place. We see nothing but a wide sight of the immeasurable shot of bushes. Non-diegetic sound is used throughout this shot in the background; traditional indigenous music. This is overridden with a voiceover introducing the