Rabbit Proof Fence - Media Coursework

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Sean Coffey 3046

Rabbit Proof Fence – Media Coursework

You are to analyse the how The Rabbit Proof Fence creates emotion and tension through the use of cinematography

The film Rabbit Proof Fence tells the true story of three half-cast children in 1930’s Australia that are forcibly taken from their families and sent to a camp to enforce western values. This is because of a law stating that all half cast children can be taken from their families. But desperate to return to their mother they escape and try to walk 1500 miles home, outwitting trackers and the vile chief protector, by using the rabbit proof fence.

The film is a very heart-wrenching film, and shows the emotional journey that these three young children go through. But it doesn’t just focus on the sorrows of children but shows their hope and optimism that helps the girls keep just out of reach of the authorities.

The film opens with aerial shot of the outback, panning across to show the huge unending size of the outback. This shot gives a feel of the remoteness of the outback, as well as a lack of any human life or vegetation. This stays in the viewers mind and shows just how hard the journey for the three girls will be. The film uses contextual information, giving background information on the situation of aboriginals in Australia. The text is written in white over a black background, already hinting at the white domination over the blacks. Non-diegetic aboriginal music is played over this opening sequence, to set the scene of aboriginal and also relaxes the viewer that nothing bad is happening at the moment. The voice of a now adult Molly gives an outline of the story about to unfold, in her native language, with subtitles for the viewer. As the scene moves on we see Molly now as a child with her family hunting, showing her tracking skills which later become an important part of their journey home.  This scene shows the bond that the family have, and the importance of family in aboriginal culture. We hear Molly’s mother explain the significance of the spirit bird, and that it will always look out for you and guide you safely. This becomes a sign of home later on in the film.

We are then introduced to Riggs, the ‘baddy’ of the film, and the first white man seen. Immediately he is identified as different to the aboriginals before we even see his skin colour. We see he is carrying a gun which instantly makes him more dangerous. The camera pans up from a close up of his feet up to his face, looking up at him as if he is more important. The closeness of the camera shows details that show his difference to the aboriginals. Straight away we see him wearing shoes, showing signs of western culture. As the camera pans to his face we are immediately aware that he is a danger to the girl’s harmonious life. The family’s reaction to Riggs also shows that he is a threat.

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The next scene jumps to an industrialised area of Australia, contrasting with the natural wilderness of the outback. We are shown a real piece of footage of an Australian city from that time; however it could easily be mistaken for any city in Europe or America, showing how the west is imposing its culture upon Australia and the aboriginals. The scene then jumps into Mr. Neville’s office. Mr. Neville is the ‘Chief Protector of Aborigines’, which is ironic as he does anything but protect them, and is the one in charge of taking them away.  The room is very ...

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