Resilience And Hope In The Film Rabbit-Proof Fence

The Stolen Generation was a tragic time when Australian Aboriginal people were removed from their families and homes by racist colonialists of the Australian government, causing long-lasting, generational trauma. The Aboriginals were demanded to acclimatize to a non-indigenous society, depriving them of native culture by removing them from their families, forcing European customs and religion on them, and changing their names, all in the hope of them gradually blending into white Australian society. As a result, long-standing customs and cultural practices cannot be passed down to future generations. On February 13th, 2008, former prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, provided all who would listen with a formal apology for the terrors that

Eventually, Molly initiated a plan for the two girls to escape and find their way back home. Throughout the film, the girls encounter several obstacles and helping hands that ultimately help them find their way back home to their loved ones. Throughout the film Rabbit-Proof Fence, themes of resilience, strength, and hope shine through as the challenges of the stolen generation are portrayed through the story of three young girls and their journey to escape oppression. Amidst the vast and seemingly never-ending landscapes of Western Australia, the girls’ imperishable determination, filled with courage, bravery, and cultural dedication, persists despite unspoken thoughts of seclusion and despair. After being kindly taken in for the night by a sympathetic fellow victim of Moore River as a child, they are all awoken in the middle of the night by alarming sounds. The authorities, as well as Moodoo, the tracker, are still searching for the girls and have now come very close to finding them. The lady instructs them to leave immediately through the backdoor, and they do. Through a long shot, the viewer sees the girls run out and find

The shot intensifies due to the sound of the girls’ footsteps and heavy breathing as they run, providing an emotional point of view into the girls’ minds as they have just narrowly escaped defeat. As strong as ever, their familial bond shines through the darkness as they continue their journey, hands interlocked, displaying defiance, togetherness, and tenacity. Despite the present situation, ignoring the roaring isolation to come, the viewer witnesses the girls reinforcing the undeniable sense of togetherness as they continue following the rabbit-proof fence into the night. As the silhouette fades out, a crane shot of an environmental perspective reinforces not only the scenery's depth but also the depth of their journey as the viewer sees the girls walking through. It exhibits the implicit sense of isolation the girls feel under their toughness. After persevering through a nine-week-long, inhumane, emotionally, and physically destructive journey through the vast landscapes of Australia, Molly and Daisy have proven that nothing is truly