Rabbit proof fence
Directed by Phillip Noyce
Question: Analyse how techniques were used to strongly affect your emotions in 1 or 2 key
scenes
Phillip Noyce's film Rabbit Proof Fence has one key scene, which strongly affects our
emotions. This is the scene in which the girls (Molly, Gracie and Daisy) are taken/kidnapped
from their mothers. Noyce uses techniques such as camera shots, contrast and music to
affect our emotions.
Noyce deliberately uses camera shots to make us feel empathy, fear and shock in the kidnap
scene. He uses a tracking shot to follow the girl’s flight from the policeman Riggs. This
technique makes us feel empathy for the girls, as their panic is obvious to even the least
sympathetic viewer. The observer feels as though they are running with them. The handheld
camera shots are level with girls (point of view shot) and are shaky to further emphasize
their terror. This technique connects the viewer with the scene, enabling us to feel their
shock and fear. Noyce uses low angle camera shots up at Riggs to make him seem larger,
intimidating and in control. We understand that this man holds extreme power over this
family and has the ability to rip apart the fabric of their life.
Noyce uses a lot of contrast to make us feel compassionate towards the Aborigines in the
kidnap scene. The Aborigines are dressed in plain, suitable clothes for their environment.
They appear relaxed, confident and competent in the desert setting. Then Riggs emerges in
his new loud car, dressed in a stiff, dark suit. Everything about Riggs is unsuitable for the
outback. He sweats and is just generally uncomfortable. Noyce uses the contrast between
Riggs and the aborigines to make us understand that the girls belong in the outback. He uses
the contrast to show us how this outsider comes and destroys everything. Even Riggs’s car
is loud and out of place as it disrupts their tranquil home. This is similar to how Riggs
destroys their peaceful lives.Through the contrast we feel hatred for Riggs and the cruel,
inhumane system that separates mother from child.
Noyce uses music in this scene to make us feel alarm and trepidation. In the beginning of
the scene, the music is natural didgeridoo and fits the desert landscape. However the music
has a slightly ominous undertone, through which I believe Noyce is giving a hint of the
horror to come. When Riggs chases the girls the music changes altogether. As the girls are
being pursued, the music becomes frantic, like a rapid heart beat. Noyce uses this technique
to make us feel panicked and scared. Noyce’s purpose is to induce empathy and fear for the
girl’s situation. The sound is also altered by Riggs initial arrival; a camels groan merges with
the cars rumble. Noyce is showing us how the white man destroys the calm. We, the viewers
feel angry at this violation of a peaceful community.
Noyce uses camera shots, contrast and music to strongly affect our emotions in the kidnap
scene. We are left with feelings of anger and frustration at the brutal treatment of the
aborigine people. We also feel empathy and compassion for their plight. Through this scene,
Noyce is trying to show us the tragedy of the “stolen generation”. The tragedy is, this
travesty of justice is not yet over.
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