Post by klep on May 20, 2019 7:13:56 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 5/20: Rabbit-Proof Fence
ANTI-INTERVENTIONISM WEEK!
When we think of genocide, we tend to think of the Holocaust. We think of thousands or millions dead, in an attempt to wipe out a people - a culture. But physical death is not the only way in which genocide is carried out. Another is the kidnapping of children from the targeted group and removing them to be raised by the 'right' group with that group's cultures, language, and tradition. In this way, a people and a culture can be erased without needing to murder anyone.
This is what Australia tried to do with the Aboriginal population between approximately 1905 and 1970. Children referred to as "half-caste" - the children of Aboriginal people and white Australians - were kidnapped and removed to institutions where they were forced to speak English and train to be farmhands or domestic workers. Over the years tens of thousands (the true number is unknown) of children were robbed from their parents, never to see them again. These children have come to be known as the Stolen Generations, for the loss of so many children left such a void in Aboriginal culture.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is based on the true story of a trio of these children who fled their settlement in an attempt to return home in 1931. The film alternates between scenes of the children & their immediate pursuers and scenes of the Chief Protector of Aboriginies for Western Australia A. O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) justifying his actions to others and himself.
Neville is the one of the worst kinds of monsters - the kind that doesn't act out of hot rage or hatred, but rather out of a cool, calm, calculated evil. He repeatedly expresses his certitude that kidnapping these children is doing them a favor, and in an early scene boasts about how quickly their heritage will be erased. Branagh does a fantastic job with Neville, whom he plays with the collection of a lifelong bureaucrat with just a hint - only a hint - that there is violence lurking within him if his will or his wisdom are denied.
Meanwhile the kids are putting the lie to all his claims of white supremacy. All three kids prove adept at surviving in the Australian wilderness - part of the cultural heritage Neville wants so much to erase. Molly (Everlyn Sampi) in particular repeatedly displays her cleverness and intelligence in knowing when to hide, when to run, and how to evade their pursuers.
It's a powerful contrast between them and Neville. For all his moralizing about how he's acting in the best interest of everyone, he's really just acting to preserve the comfort of white people. Never does it seem to occur to him that he is causing life-long trauma to these children and their mothers - or if it occurs to him, he doesn't care. In the children though we see the determination, pain, and deep connection they have to their families and the injustice of trying to separate them from it. The film gives us a moment of triumph, showing Molly and her sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury) reuniting with their mother.
But it's a triumph all-too fleeting. Determined campaigns of genocide are difficult to escape. Cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan) never returned home. Molly would be recaptured (and escape) once more, and both of her children were kidnapped from her in turn. Australia would not apologize for its actions until 2008.
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 5/27: Q: The Winged Serpent
KAIJU WEEK!
The Aztec God Quetzalcoatl terrorizes New York and both David Carradine and Richard Roundtree specifically in our pick for Kaiju Week! Be sure to come join our discussion next week. Q: The Winged Serpent is available for rent in the usual places, and free for Amazon Prime members.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 5/21: Long Shot
The podcast's look at more optimistic political films concludes with the new Long Shot. Join our discussion of the film on Wednesday! Long Shot is still in theaters.
ANTI-INTERVENTIONISM WEEK!
When we think of genocide, we tend to think of the Holocaust. We think of thousands or millions dead, in an attempt to wipe out a people - a culture. But physical death is not the only way in which genocide is carried out. Another is the kidnapping of children from the targeted group and removing them to be raised by the 'right' group with that group's cultures, language, and tradition. In this way, a people and a culture can be erased without needing to murder anyone.
This is what Australia tried to do with the Aboriginal population between approximately 1905 and 1970. Children referred to as "half-caste" - the children of Aboriginal people and white Australians - were kidnapped and removed to institutions where they were forced to speak English and train to be farmhands or domestic workers. Over the years tens of thousands (the true number is unknown) of children were robbed from their parents, never to see them again. These children have come to be known as the Stolen Generations, for the loss of so many children left such a void in Aboriginal culture.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is based on the true story of a trio of these children who fled their settlement in an attempt to return home in 1931. The film alternates between scenes of the children & their immediate pursuers and scenes of the Chief Protector of Aboriginies for Western Australia A. O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) justifying his actions to others and himself.
Neville is the one of the worst kinds of monsters - the kind that doesn't act out of hot rage or hatred, but rather out of a cool, calm, calculated evil. He repeatedly expresses his certitude that kidnapping these children is doing them a favor, and in an early scene boasts about how quickly their heritage will be erased. Branagh does a fantastic job with Neville, whom he plays with the collection of a lifelong bureaucrat with just a hint - only a hint - that there is violence lurking within him if his will or his wisdom are denied.
Meanwhile the kids are putting the lie to all his claims of white supremacy. All three kids prove adept at surviving in the Australian wilderness - part of the cultural heritage Neville wants so much to erase. Molly (Everlyn Sampi) in particular repeatedly displays her cleverness and intelligence in knowing when to hide, when to run, and how to evade their pursuers.
It's a powerful contrast between them and Neville. For all his moralizing about how he's acting in the best interest of everyone, he's really just acting to preserve the comfort of white people. Never does it seem to occur to him that he is causing life-long trauma to these children and their mothers - or if it occurs to him, he doesn't care. In the children though we see the determination, pain, and deep connection they have to their families and the injustice of trying to separate them from it. The film gives us a moment of triumph, showing Molly and her sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury) reuniting with their mother.
But it's a triumph all-too fleeting. Determined campaigns of genocide are difficult to escape. Cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan) never returned home. Molly would be recaptured (and escape) once more, and both of her children were kidnapped from her in turn. Australia would not apologize for its actions until 2008.
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 5/27: Q: The Winged Serpent
KAIJU WEEK!
The Aztec God Quetzalcoatl terrorizes New York and both David Carradine and Richard Roundtree specifically in our pick for Kaiju Week! Be sure to come join our discussion next week. Q: The Winged Serpent is available for rent in the usual places, and free for Amazon Prime members.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 5/21: Long Shot
The podcast's look at more optimistic political films concludes with the new Long Shot. Join our discussion of the film on Wednesday! Long Shot is still in theaters.