Rabbit Proof Fence

Movie:

The stolen generation refers to the forced removal of children who were of both Aboriginal or Torrens-Straight Islander and European decent, by the Australian Federal and State Government.

‘Follow the Rabbit-Proof fence’ is a novel that was published in 1996. It recounts the writer’s -Doris Pilkington- personal account of what her mother, aunt and their cousin experienced as children who were part of the Stolen Generation. In 2002 the novel was produced as a film called; “Rabbit-Proof Fence” which follows the same story of Molly (the authors mother), Daisy (the authors aunt), and their cousin Gracie’s experience, escaping from the Moore River Native Settlement mission to return home to Jigalong, and to their families. This movie is fantastic, enlightening and educational, and is perfect for someone with little understanding of Aboriginal culture in order to gain insight. It showcases the public’s lack of knowledge and understanding about the aboriginal culture, and therefore aboriginal art.

This movie not only brings awareness about the stolen generation and hence Aboriginal history, but it helps to create an appreciation for Aboriginal culture, and their understanding for our land, and for each other. Their cultural environment was one of family and of love, and their understanding and appreciation for the land we share is astounding. During Mr Rudd’s speech he tells the story of Nanna Nungala Fejo, an eighty year-old Aboriginal woman who was part of the stolen generation, and her earliest memory before she was stolen from her family. “She remembers the love and the warmth and the kinship of those days long ago, including traditional dancing around the camp fire at night. She loved the dancing.” This love and understanding of the land shows through in their artworks. Many Aboriginal works being of their homeland or of the landscape alike. Rabbit-proof fence entices the viewer to understand the Aboriginal culture and art, and embrace it significantly. The Aboriginal peoples have a better understanding of our land than we ever will and this shows through their works completely and unmistakably. Our shared land is showcased in their work, often serving as the centerpiece rather than the background. This is something to be respected, and as a viewer of such an enlightening movie I now understand that.