Based on "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence" by Doris Pilkington Garimara,
this excellent, unsentimental Australian film chronicles three
"half-caste" (half Caucasian, half Aboriginal) girls. They were forcibly
removed from their home in 1931, were placed in an official government camp,
escaped and made a 1,500-mile journey through the Australian outback
to their village. Aptly referred to as the "Stolen Generation," the
half-castes were taught to be domestics, and it was the goal of the
Australian government to have all vestiges of Aboriginal blood removed
within three generations of breeding to Caucasians. This program of
removing half-castes from their homes lasted until 1970. Insert
expletive - do governments really do this? The answer is sadly yes, and to
this day the Australian government has never apologized. Kenneth Branagh
plays government official Dr. Neville, in charge of the program.
First-timer Everlyn Sampi is amazing as 14-year old Molly Craig, who leads
the girls. The film is directed by Phillip Noyce, with cinematography by
Christopher Doyle; his shots are beautiful. Added bonus: Fantastic music by
Peter Gabriel. Someone should mail a copy to Trent Lott - maybe it will get
stuck in his VCR.