The of Ten Canoes, Rabbit-Proof Fence and Kula: Ring of Power - Movie Review Example

Ten Canoes The movie “Ten Canoes” is produced and shown in 2006 which can be considered significant due to the presentation of the culture of the Aborigines in Australia through different factors mainly the original Indigenous language, the setting and the real members of the community. The film had been directed by Rolf de Heer and Peter Djigirr which featured Crusoe Kurddal and shot in the Arafura Swamp (De Heer, 2006). Summary of the Film The plot of the story focused on the life of the aborigines in Australia prior to the arrival of the European settlers. It is composed of two parts that describe the culture and tradition of the Aborigines specifically in the Arafura Wetlands of Central Arnhem Land. The story presented two different periods that depicts the distinct culture and traditions of the people belonging to the said group (De Heer, 2006). One story which is shown in black-and-whire is the main point related to the title which is a canoe journey of hunting goose eggs in the Arafura swamp. The said part represents the different methods and techniques in livelihood and hunting of the people belonging to the said group. Aside from the said subject, the social interactions of the people within the group are also given light. Through the journey, the older member of the group told the story of a wife who had an affair with another man due to the evident interest of one of the members of the group in the wife of another. Such story is meant to teach a lesson thus it can be considered that the law in the said Aboriginal group is relatively conservative in the said cases (De Heer, 2006). The law based on the said issue had been described in the story which had been told. In cases of death the man inherits the wife or wives of his brother. Although considered ironic, the story teller taught a lesson of respect and patience regarding the fate of the wives. Respect due to the fact that a brother cannot have any relationship with his brother’s wives not unless he died (De Heer, 2006). Analysis of the Film Upon the study of the film by De Heer, a higher level of appreciation and understanding of the life, culture and tradition of the Aboriginal people can be achieved. They are people who strictly follow rules of nature and their own set of rules. The distinctness of the said culture of the people in Australia is one of the main components of the Oceanic culture and art (De Heer, 2006). Basically, the main way of understanding the Aborigines is through their culture and art. The main way to understand Oceanic art is through the study of unique areas and islands in the pacific. In the movie, the audience can achieve the feeling of awe based on the fact that the said film is one of the movies that dug deep and internally interacted with the Aborigines. Gaining knowledge on their method of hunting, working and even having fun made them more human and more understandable for people outside their culture (Buehler, Barrow& Mountford, 1962; De Heer, 2006). One of the most significant indicators of Oceanic art in the movie is the canoe itself. The said item and vehicle can be considered as one of the most significant expression of the capability of the aborigines to build and construct. In addition, the shelters that are established in the swamps during hunting can also be considered as a form of craft for the said people. Above all these, the different forms of idols, paintings and sculptures can be considered as the most important indicators of the Oceanic art within the said culture (Buehler, Barrow& Mountford, 1962; De Heer, 2006). Aesthetically and philosophically, the film “Ten Canoes” contributed to the expression and representation of Oceanic arts. Rabbit-Proof Fence The “Rabbit-Proof Fence” is a film produced and distributed in Australia which is based on the book written by Doris Pilkington Garimara. It is a story about three mixed-race Aboriginal girls in the times wherein the Aborigines are controlled by the Aborigines Act that ultimately functions to eliminate their race (Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). Summary of the Film The story begins with the extraction of three girls that are called mixed-raced Aborigines from Jigalong, their community to More River Native Settlement which is home to mixed-race people under the provision of the Aborigines Act and the Government during that time which is around 1931 (Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). The majority of the story revolves in the escape and quest of the three girls from the Settlement back to their native land by following the Rabbit-Proof Fence. The said journey occurred for nine weeks in 1500 miles. Through the course of the film there are important indicators of the distinct culture of the said Aborigines (Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). Analysis of the Film There are different observations and important indicators in the distinctive culture of the Aborigines depicted in the film. One of the most significant of the said belief is entwined with nature. One example is the spirit of the bird which served as the guidance of the three girls specifically Molly who is the eldest in different occasions. Such belief in the power of nature and animals can be considered as one of the main influences of the Oceanic art in the particular area where the plot occurred (Buehler, Barrow& Mountford, 1962; Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). Another important point is the evident opposition of the white people in the belief of the Aborigines. Due to the fact that during that time religion can be considered as power, it is commonly used to control and rule over the people. This can be observed in the Settlement wherein the children can be observed to be taught praying and attending to religious activities to be able to change and influence their views (Buehler, Barrow& Mountford, 1962; Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). On the basis of the said point, it can be expressed that the distinctive characteristic of the Oceanic culture and art is its own character and the deep rooted history inculcated within every belief and tradition. For that matter, even up to the present era, elimination of such culture cannot be completely undertaken even though such actions had been done by the government (Buehler, Barrow& Mountford, 1962; Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). Another important culture and tradition deeply rooted in the Oceanic Aborigines is the capability for hunting and survival. It can be considered evident that the main characters of the story are well-trained for surviving in the wilderness even if they are girls. One factor that can be considered to have contributed is the interaction with white men that had produced half-raced children. This can be attributed to the need for the women to survive independently (Buehler, Barrow& Mountford, 1962; Noyce, Olsen, & Winter, 2002). In other cases though, it can be considered that in the Aboriginal societies, women have their own role. One of the said roles is teaching the children the methods of livelihood and survival. Another is passing important culture and traditions to maintain the uniqueness of the group beyond the influence of different factors. Kula: Ring of Power The “Kula: Ring of Power” is one of the most significant film that portray the distinct traditions of the Oceanic culture. It is a story produced by G. Steer and directed by M. Balso that tells the tradition related to the Kula or the shell which the possession is considered power due to the fact that it represents the ring of islands the Pacific (Steer and Balso, 1991). Summary of the Film The film is focused on the traditions in the Trobriand Islands, which is also referred to as the Islands of Love. It is located near the east coast of New Guinea. The tradition of the Kula is composed of a game that is aimed to barter important objects in the said island communities. It is initiated by setting sail and going around the set of islands (Steer and Balso, 1991). One of the most important representations is the Kula which is a shell which symbolized power. The possession of the said item can determine the status of the player in the community. Through the said tradition, the strong cultural background of the communities can be understood by other nations and regions (Steer and Balso, 1991). Analysis of the Film The can be considered as an important representation of the culture and tradition of the Oceanic region. The icons, the representations of visual arts such as the paintings and sculptures and the different rites and practices express the history and beliefs of the said communities (Steer and Balso, 1991). Based on the study of the film, it can be considered that the Oceanic art is a very distinct form of expression that can only be found in the said region. Although there are different influences, the expression of the culture of the Aborigines and the communities still lived on. Such lesson of expression of culture and tradition can be considered as one of the most essential lessons being taught by the film. Thus, it is important to respect the beliefs of other people to be able to enhance the diversity in culture and even develop the intercultural relationships. References Buehler, A., Barrow, T. and Mountford, C. P. (1962). The Art of the South Sea Islands, Including Australia and New Zealand. New York: Crown Publishers. De Heer, R. (Producer) (2006). Ten Canoes [Motion Picture]. Australia: Palace Films. Noyce, P. (Produce and Director) and Olsen, C. and Winter, J. (Directors) (2002). Rabbit-Proof Fence [Motion Picture]. Australia: Miramax Films. Steer, G. (Producer) and Balso, M. (Director) (1991). Kula: Ring of Power [Motion Picture]. Sky Visuals Pty Ltd. Read More