Aboriginal Film Analysis
Introduction:
In your introduction, discuss the following points:
What is so important about film as teaching people about cultural norms?
How can film challenge cultural stereotypes?
How can film reinforce cultural stereotypes?
Why is it important to have authentic films about Aboriginal issues?
Part 1:
View the beginning of the film Jedda (Chauvel, 1955).
(Jedda can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbqX2T-ZzRE)
How do the watercolours set the scene for the story?
The voice over in the beginning is supposed to tell Jedda’s story, and yet it is clearly an English man. What does this suggest about the movie presenting Jedda’s perspective?
Jedda’s fate is decided by two white men, discussing her mother’s death and the sorrow of her father. Why might these men be in control of her fate, not her father or her people?
The men say that Sophie McMann is ‘...one woman who understands these people...’ What do you think this means about her attitudes towards the
The original title of the film was Jedda: the Uncivilised. Read the review of the film here: http://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/ReadingRoom/film/dbase/2003/Jedda/Review.htm
Although it is sympathetic to the Aboriginal situation at the time – they were allowed to remain on traditional land only as servants to the white land ‘owners’ – it is still told from a primarily white perspective. What elements in the beginning of the film suggest that the whites are ‘civilised’ whereas the Indigenous people were not?
Read the critical uptake of the film, here: http://wwwmcc.murdoch.edu.au/ReadingRoom/film/dbase/2003/Jedda/CriticalUptake.htm
Why would it have been so difficult to make this film?
Part 2:
Watch the trailer for Bran Nue Dae (Perkins, 2010).
(Trailer can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtLbLBi5Jyk)
What stereotypes about white and black people does this film present?
How does this film challenge these stereotypes? (Hint: look at the sympathetic way the different characters are presented – this helps the audience understand that the characters are not stereotypes, but that they are people)
How does this film show that the film makers understand some of the emotions experienced by Aboriginal people when isolated from their people? (Use this short clip to help answer this question: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB71LqTV3YM).
Consider the character Roxanne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fERQDcuhcI). While she is presented as a drunk, and a comical predator after sex while her husband is away, what traits about her help us to feel sympathetic for her?
View the interview with Jessica Mauboy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtjoSqQC3IE).
Unlike Jedda, Bran Nue Dae was made by a primarily Aboriginal cast, based on a story of the life experiences of Jimmy Chi, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Chi).
How did Bran Nue Dae show a sympathetic portrayal of city and rural indigenous life whilst yet challenging stereotypes about Aboriginal people?
Conclusion:
After viewing excerpts from both films, how do you think the film industry has changed its attitude towards:
· Making and funding indigenous films
· Presenting indigenous characters sympathetically
· Presenting an indigenous character’s perspective within the film?
What more change do you think can occur?