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How are Aboriginals depicted in “Rabbit Proof Fence” and Sally Morgan’s “My Place”

“Rabbit Proof Fence”, directed by Phillip Noyce and Sally Morgan’s “My Place” explore a variety of Aboriginal Themes and Issues, and in doing so, there are generic representations of these people throughout Aboriginal related literature. Phillip Noyce uses an array of camera angles and film etiquette to raise awareness and portray Aborigines as a mistreated society and culture, and to put a face on the phenomenon of the Stolen Generation. Whilst, Sally Morgan too, has used literary techniques to represent Aborigines in her recounts of her past, in “My Place”.

Rabbit Proof Fence is an Australian film directed by Phillip Noyce. The film follows the real life story of 3 half-caste girls, who were taken away from their mother only to make the 1200 mile journey back home, through harsh landscapes and terrain. The film seeks to raise awareness and put a face on the phenomenon of the ‘Stolen Generation’. In doing so, it portrays the Aborigines in a variety of ways, using camera angles and film etiquette. In the film, the White People are seen as ultimate supremacies, whilst the Aborigines are portrayed as vulnerable and low-life civilians. The juxtaposition of the top class supremacies, and the self-sufficient Aboriginal Communities sends the powerful message of difference.

The striking portrayal of Aborigines in “Rabbit Proof Fence” is vulnerability. Molly and her sisters are continually threatened and intimidated upon by Mr Neville and other guards at the mission camp throughout the course of the film. The dominance of the white class epitomises how vulnerable the Aborigines were. Their vulnerability is represented through two significant moments in the film. The first of these being when they are forced into the car at Jigalong, where “close up facial” shots of the girls display their shock and horror of being taken away. They lay scared,...