Phillip Noyce’s Rabbit-Proof Fence employs a powerful array of film techniques – including stunning cinematography, evocative sound design, and deliberate pacing – to immerse viewers in the harrowing journey of three Aboriginal girls and amplify the film’s message of resilience and the devastating impact of Australia’s Stolen Generations. These techniques work in concert to build empathy, highlight the girls’ connection to their land, and critique the oppressive policies of the time.
Cinematography: Painting the Outback
The cinematography in Rabbit-Proof Fence, masterfully handled by Christopher Doyle, is perhaps the film’s most striking element. It serves not just to depict the landscape, but to actively participate in the storytelling.
The Vastness of the Landscape
Noyce utilizes wide-angle shots and sweeping aerial views to emphasize the sheer immensity of the Australian Outback. This vastness visually represents the girls’ immense distance from home, the scale of their challenge, and the unforgiving nature of their journey. These long shots often depict the girls as small figures against the backdrop, underscoring their vulnerability and the powerlessness they face against the authorities. The deliberate use of aerial perspectives not only showcases the beauty of the land but also gives the audience a sense of the distance travelled and the arduousness of their trek.
Colour Palette and Lighting
The film’s colour palette is dominated by the ochre hues of the earth, the blues of the sky, and the greens of the sparse vegetation. This palette reflects the natural environment and the girls’ deep connection to it. The filmmakers strategically use natural light, often employing golden hour shots to bathe the landscape in a warm glow, enhancing its beauty and highlighting the girls’ resilience in the face of adversity. The contrasting use of shadows and light during scenes in the Moore River Native Settlement, however, effectively portray the harsh and oppressive environment of the institution.
Close-Ups and Point-of-View Shots
Beyond the grand landscapes, Rabbit-Proof Fence also employs close-ups to reveal the girls’ emotions and inner strength. Close-ups on their faces capture their determination, fear, and unwavering commitment to returning home. Point-of-view (POV) shots are strategically used to place the audience directly in the girls’ shoes, allowing them to experience the world through their eyes and empathize with their plight. These intimate shots humanize the girls and resist any temptation to view them as victims.
Sound Design: An Aural Landscape of Suffering and Hope
The sound design in Rabbit-Proof Fence is equally crucial in creating the film’s atmosphere and conveying its message. It extends beyond simple dialogue and music, playing a vital role in building tension and expressing the girls’ inner turmoil.
Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound
The film effectively uses both diegetic (sound originating from within the scene) and non-diegetic (sound added in post-production) sound. The sounds of the outback – the wind, the birds, the crackling fire – create an authentic soundscape that grounds the film in its setting. These sounds are often contrasted with the sterile and artificial sounds of the settlement, further highlighting the cultural dissonance the girls experience.
Music and Score
Peter Gabriel’s haunting score is a powerful element of the film’s sound design. The music often features traditional Aboriginal instruments and vocalizations, adding a layer of cultural authenticity and expressing the girls’ connection to their heritage. The score is used sparingly, often only during moments of great emotional significance, which amplifies its impact. The use of silence is also significant, allowing the audience to fully absorb the weight of the girls’ experiences.
Sound Effects and Foley
Carefully crafted sound effects and Foley (everyday sounds added in post-production) enhance the realism of the film. The sound of the girls’ footsteps as they walk across the harsh terrain, the creaking of the gate at the settlement, and the rustling of the rabbit-proof fence all contribute to the immersive experience. These subtle details add depth and texture to the soundscape, drawing the audience further into the story.
Editing and Pacing: Building Tension and Reflecting Resilience
The editing and pacing of Rabbit-Proof Fence are carefully considered to create a sense of urgency and reflect the girls’ relentless pursuit of home.
Slow Motion and Montage
Noyce utilizes slow motion sparingly, often during moments of intense emotion or physical exertion, to emphasize the significance of these moments. Montages are used to condense time and show the girls’ progress along the rabbit-proof fence, visually representing the distance they have travelled and the obstacles they have overcome. These montages are often accompanied by Peter Gabriel’s score, creating a powerful and emotional impact.
Juxtaposition and Cross-Cutting
The film employs juxtaposition to contrast the girls’ experiences with the policies and attitudes of the authorities. Scenes of the girls struggling through the outback are often juxtaposed with scenes of A.O. Neville, the Chief Protector of Aborigines, justifying his actions. Cross-cutting is used to create tension and suspense, particularly during the chase sequences, as the girls are pursued by trackers.
Pacing and Rhythm
The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to fully absorb the beauty of the landscape and the emotional weight of the girls’ journey. The slower pace allows for moments of reflection and emphasizes the arduousness of their trek. However, the pacing quickens during moments of action and suspense, keeping the audience engaged and invested in the outcome.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Film’s Techniques
Here are some frequently asked questions that further explore the film techniques used in Rabbit-Proof Fence:
FAQ 1: How does the film use symbolism to convey its message?
The rabbit-proof fence itself is the most potent symbol, representing both the physical and metaphorical barriers placed between Aboriginal people and their land, culture, and families. The girls’ unwavering determination to reach it signifies their resistance and their connection to their heritage.
FAQ 2: What is the significance of the film’s title?
The title, Rabbit-Proof Fence, directly references the physical structure guiding the girls home. It also symbolizes the artificial divisions imposed on the landscape and the disruption of Aboriginal lives by government policy.
FAQ 3: How does the film represent the perspective of the Aboriginal girls?
Through POV shots, close-ups that highlight their emotions, and a focus on their actions and dialogue, the film prioritizes the girls’ perspective. It centers their experience and allows the audience to empathize with their journey.
FAQ 4: How does the film portray A.O. Neville, the Chief Protector of Aborigines?
The film presents Neville as a well-meaning but misguided figure, blinded by his belief in assimilation. He is portrayed as detached from the reality of the impact his policies have on Aboriginal people, highlighting the dangers of paternalistic colonialism.
FAQ 5: What role does music play in shaping the audience’s emotional response?
Peter Gabriel’s score, featuring traditional Aboriginal instruments, evokes a sense of cultural connection, longing, and resilience. It amplifies the emotional impact of key scenes and underscores the film’s themes.
FAQ 6: How does the film use lighting to create different moods?
Bright, natural lighting is used to showcase the beauty of the outback and the girls’ connection to the land. In contrast, harsh lighting and shadows are used to create a sense of oppression and confinement within the Moore River Native Settlement.
FAQ 7: What editing techniques are used to build suspense during the chase scenes?
Cross-cutting between the girls and their pursuers, quick cuts, and a tense score all contribute to the suspense during the chase scenes, creating a sense of urgency and danger.
FAQ 8: How does the film use silence to create impact?
Moments of silence are strategically used to allow the audience to fully absorb the emotional weight of certain scenes, emphasizing the girls’ vulnerability and the gravity of their situation.
FAQ 9: What are some examples of diegetic and non-diegetic sound in the film?
Diegetic sound includes the sounds of the outback (wind, birds, fire), while non-diegetic sound includes Peter Gabriel’s score, which is added in post-production to enhance the emotional impact.
FAQ 10: How does the film use costuming to convey information about the characters?
The girls’ clothing initially reflects their traditional Aboriginal attire, which is gradually replaced by the uniforms of the Moore River Native Settlement. This shift in clothing symbolizes the loss of their culture and the attempt to assimilate them into white society.
FAQ 11: How does the use of the natural environment add to the film’s message?
The vast, beautiful, and unforgiving Australian outback acts as both a backdrop and a character in the film. It represents the girls’ ancestral homeland and the challenges they face in returning to it.
FAQ 12: How does the film’s ending contribute to its overall message of hope and resilience?
The ending, showing the real Molly Craig and her daughters, reinforces the historical reality of the Stolen Generations and celebrates the enduring strength of Aboriginal people. It offers a message of hope and reminds viewers of the importance of preserving cultural identity.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is a testament to the power of film to educate, evoke empathy, and inspire change. Its skillful use of cinematography, sound design, editing, and pacing creates a deeply moving and unforgettable cinematic experience that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.