| Copyright © 2012 |
Quiet Mountain Essays
| My Favorite Must-See Films from Australia and New Zealand - Suzanne Sunshower |
| RABBITS |
| FRINGE |
| WARRIORS |
| REVENGE |
| Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) EVERLYN SAMPI, TIANNA SANSBURY, LAURA MONAGHAN |
Photos courtesy IMDB
This film chronicles a perilous journey taken by three Aboriginal children from the Stolen
Generation. In 1931, when the Australian government removed these young girls from their
mothers and traditional homeland, the girls followed the rabbit-proof fence that surrounded
Australia's settlements on a 1000-mile journey back home, on foot, heatedly pursued by a
Generation. In 1931, when the Australian government removed these young girls from their
mothers and traditional homeland, the girls followed the rabbit-proof fence that surrounded
Australia's settlements on a 1000-mile journey back home, on foot, heatedly pursued by a
government-hired Aboriginal tracker. Travelling, they discover what could await them as wards of the state:
servitude to white families, and in some cases, rape as a form of survival. At film's end, we are treated to a
chat with two of the real-life children who made this dangerous trek, as the grown women they became.
servitude to white families, and in some cases, rape as a form of survival. At film's end, we are treated to a
chat with two of the real-life children who made this dangerous trek, as the grown women they became.
| The Fringe Dwellers (1986) KRISTINA NEHM, JUSTINE SAUNDERS and MARLENE BELL |
UTU (1983)
Anzac Wallace, Bruno Lawrence, Kelly Johnson, Wi Kuki Kaa, Tim Elliott, Ilona Rodgers, Tania Bristowe, Martyn
Sanderson, Faenza Reuben, Merata Mita
Anzac Wallace, Bruno Lawrence, Kelly Johnson, Wi Kuki Kaa, Tim Elliott, Ilona Rodgers, Tania Bristowe, Martyn
Sanderson, Faenza Reuben, Merata Mita
This film is sometimes amusing but always thought-provoking. Trilby, an Aboriginal teen,
longs for life on the other side of the impoverished fringe where she lives with her family
and relations. Though she feels trapped by life as her family knows it, and pigeon-holed by
white society, she refuses to sacrifice her pride or spirit to live in the white world. She is
fierce, impatient, and determined; and, also, ready to do the unthinkable to ensure that she
remains free to follow her dreams.
longs for life on the other side of the impoverished fringe where she lives with her family
and relations. Though she feels trapped by life as her family knows it, and pigeon-holed by
white society, she refuses to sacrifice her pride or spirit to live in the white world. She is
fierce, impatient, and determined; and, also, ready to do the unthinkable to ensure that she
remains free to follow her dreams.
| Once Were Warriors (1994) RENA OWEN, TEMUERA MORRISON and MAMAEMGAROA KERR-BELL |
Adolescent Grace is a beautiful Maori girl coming of age in the violence of a
drunken household, with parents who have forgotten the meaning of the Maori
word Mana, or pride in being Maori. In the end, it takes a tragedy to re-awaken
Grace's abused mother to the strength she has as a Maori woman and to reclaim
drunken household, with parents who have forgotten the meaning of the Maori
word Mana, or pride in being Maori. In the end, it takes a tragedy to re-awaken
Grace's abused mother to the strength she has as a Maori woman and to reclaim
Sometimes the Maori concept of utu is simplified as meaning revenge, but it is actually a
description of balance, something more like 'Give and Get'. It is the honorable act(ion)
taken by a tribe or individual to restore balance. There is violence and brutality in this film,
but it is in line with that which was experienced during the Maori fighting, during the 1800s
when the film is set, to retain Maori land and life against the European settlers who were
just as determined to take from the Maori what they wanted.
description of balance, something more like 'Give and Get'. It is the honorable act(ion)
taken by a tribe or individual to restore balance. There is violence and brutality in this film,
but it is in line with that which was experienced during the Maori fighting, during the 1800s
when the film is set, to retain Maori land and life against the European settlers who were
just as determined to take from the Maori what they wanted.
her lost mana. The domestic violence was disturbing to the white males in the group I was with when I first
saw this film, and they didn't seem to 'get' the film's purpose. My Chicana girlfriend and I, however, were
incredibly moved by the message we took away from this film: It is vitally important for Indigenous peoples to
find their way back to themselves, their own mana, and reject negative ways of life that will ultimately kill them.
saw this film, and they didn't seem to 'get' the film's purpose. My Chicana girlfriend and I, however, were
incredibly moved by the message we took away from this film: It is vitally important for Indigenous peoples to
find their way back to themselves, their own mana, and reject negative ways of life that will ultimately kill them.
