If you’re looking to see something substantive and interesting, get hold of Rabbit-Proof Fence, a 2002 Australian movie that recounts a true story. It’s set in 1931 Australia, at a time when the government has implemented a policy of capturing “half-caste” children (those with one Anglo and one Aborigine parent) and sending them to re-education camps, run mostly by church people, where they will learn to behave like white people. Molly, Daisy, and Gracie, three young Aborigine girls, are captured and taken to an orphanage 1200 miles from their home in northwestern Australia. These girls are not like the others in the camp, however, for they escape at the first opportunity. The bulk of the film recounts their 1200-mile walk back to their home area, which they accomplish by staying near the rabbit-proof fence that separates the Australian farmland from the bush. Molly, Daisy, and Gracie show their cleverness and resourcefulness in consistently eluding their pursuers.
The underlying goal of this government plan is sinister: to “breed out” the half-caste Aborigines by making them like the Anglo majority so that they can assimilate. This, of course, is contrary to God’s plan, for the Lord loves all people of all races and ethnic groups. Christ, in fact, charges His disciples with the need to “go and teach all nations.” He does not say that they are to go and amalgamate all nations into one. The governmental and church people are not shown as evil, though; they simply believe that they are helping the Aborigines — in the words of the main government character, Mr. Neville, the government’s efforts are “helpful” and in the natives’ best interest.
Bottom line: As one reviewer has said, this is a political movie, not a personal one, a fact which puts its message into the questionable category. At the beginning of the picture, it is made clear with whom we are to sympathize. Nonetheless, Rabbit-Proof Fence is powerful and thought-provoking. As is the case with End of the Spear, the end of the film shows real-life footage of the grown-up ladies who made the 1200-mile walk. The movie is rated PG, probably for mild language, and is likely to appeal to anyone over ten or so.
My Rating: 3 1/4 stars
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