Indigenous Australian Film Sociology

Through time in Australian film, Indigenous Australians have been represented in a multitude of ways and these ways have evolved as has the understanding of the people and their culture. In the 1930s-50s the conflicts between the early Australian settlers and the indigenous people were portrayed in film and the indigenous were represented as ‘black devils’ and savage attackers. Later on in the 1950’s indigenous Australians are treated more like people as can be seen in Charles Chauvels Jedda (1955). About an aboriginal girl raised in a white family in conflict with her ways of life. In the 1980’s awareness has grown in the Australian public on indigenous beliefs and lifestyle. In present day from about 1990- present indigenous stories have

This was used so that the reader can gauge what it’s like to live as Charlie and how mistreated Charlie is.

A great example of this is when in Darwin when he is walking to the campsite with the woman he meets at the liquor store he is greeted with white policemen yelling profanities and vandalising the indigenous Australians campsite yelling “Go back to the communities you black bastards”. This brings to light the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians and what they have to live with. This is shot with a wide angle shot to show the actions of the police officers. De Heer used this so that the audience can see the difference between how Charlies been treated and how others are treated and that this is the reality of how indigenous Australians are treated.

Another scene De Heer uses in order to show how the white men are taking his culture away from him is during the scene in the prison where Charlies hair is being shaved off. De Heer uses a close up in this scene so that Charlies facial expressions are in clear view for the audience. This creates empathy for Charlie as it can be shown the emotional turmoil he is going through. This creates a sad and sorrowful mood as the audience is witnessing the last part of what made Charlie, Charlie being stripped away from

De Heer wanted to keep Gulpilil busy with his time and jail and also give him work after he gets out of prison. This story closely parallels Gulipils life. (Drinking, imprisonment, domestic abuse, illness).

The film provides a perspective not normally given to the wider public as it is not shown in the media and unknown to the greater Australian public. This is the reality of life for the indigenous living in communities and also the