Themes

Oppression and colonialism

The theme of oppression and colonialism is central to the film Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) directed by Phillip Noyce, as it explores the devastating impact of these forces on the lives of the Aboriginal people in Australia during the era of the Stolen Generations. The film presents a powerful critique of the oppressive policies and attitudes practiced by the colonial government towards Aboriginal communities.

One of the central issues explored in the film is the unjust policy of forcibly removing mixed-race Aboriginal children from their families, known as the Stolen Generations. The film sheds light on the emotional and cultural impact of this policy, focusing on the experiences of three young girls who are taken from their mothers and sent to a government-run institution. This practice was aimed at assimilating mixed-race children into white society, eradicating their cultural identity, and perpetuating the ideology of white superiority. 

Colonialism is portrayed as a mechanism of control and subjugation. The film showcases the arbitrary exercise of power by the white authorities, who enforce strict rules and regulations on the Aboriginal population. This control is evident through the presence of white officials, such as Neville, who dictate the lives of Aboriginal people and impose their cultural values upon them. The film gives example of such random impositions, such as the categorization of children based on their skin color, demonstrating the dehumanization and lack of agency suffered by the Aboriginal community. 

Furthermore, the film depicts the physical and psychological impact of oppression on the characters. The harsh conditions of the ...