A Lesson In History

It was a politically charged premiere that took place at the Curzon cinema in Soho last night. Philip Noyce's Rabbit Proof Fence was enjoying it's public debut and star Kenneth Branagh turned out along with Noyce and others to see that the film, and it's subject matter, received the recognition it deserved. Exploring the tragedy of the 'Stolen Generations', the film is set in thirties Australia, where Aboriginal children were separated from their parents to be trained as domestic workers and labourers in an effort to integrate them into white society. Three such girls escaped the government institution to which they were taken and undertook a 1500 mile trek across the Australian outback to find their way home. "I hope that people take away a little reassurance about the human spirit," Noyce told Empire Online. "A story about three aboriginal girls who make a journey across the outback in 1931 might seem a long way from everyone's experience here in the UK, but it's about the ways we're all the same, that the love between parents and children is the same everywhere." "Hopefully the film will cast light on the results of those polices and maybe force the Australian government to do the impossible and apologise." The fact that there has yet to be any kind of formal apology for past policies against the Aboriginal people, is a serious point of contention on the issue and Doris Pilkington, the author of the original novel and daughter of one of the three girls who made this incredible journey is hopeful that the film's profile will help to resolve this. "The film will create awareness - many people didn't know this was going on. Like many other horrible things, this wasn't taught in schools. I hope it does lead to an apology, with the world's focus now on the issue, the Prime Minister has to do something." Playing the part of Mr Neville, one of the administrators in charge of executing the government's integration of the Aborigines, Kenneth Branagh bears the brunt of the audience's contempt in the film but he's quick to point out that Neville was far more than a pantomime villain. "I read a lot about him and he clearly had a fascination about the aboriginal culture, but he was a son of the Empire. While he helped execute a policy that many would disagree profoundly with, I believe his intentions were good." "It's a very powerful story and there's a sense that we're trying to take on a big subject but in a very personal way. I think we've succeeded in making an important film that isn't self-important." However, while we're always pleased to see Mr Branagh, it was the appearance of Mark Little aka Joe Mangel, that made Empire Online's evening. The former Neighbours star was equally effusive about the political importance of the film but, when asked how he'd have survived on such a journey through the wilderness, Little told us: "Bush tucker, mate. I'd be eatin' bush tucker."