Characters
There are three main characters in the film, Molly, Gracie and Daisy. These three girls challenge the view of Indigenous in the Australian identity. They embody everything it is to be Australian the only problem is, they aren’t white. Because of this small issue they were not considered Australian and therefore endured certain things bred from this prejudice.
All of the girls are considered underdogs. The film creates this massive battle between Mr Neville and his sheer amount of resources against these three little girls who also have to battle the elements. Australians love the story of an underdog and even more when they come out on top. This small part of the plot is created through the shots of Mr Neville in his office with all of his maps and the countless times his is on the phone to more police then juxtaposed by a shot of the girls in the outback slogging it all the way home. The landscape shots are also juxtaposed with shots of the girls to create this sense of smallness and emphasises the enormity of the task ahead.
All of the girls are considered underdogs. The film creates this massive battle between Mr Neville and his sheer amount of resources against these three little girls who also have to battle the elements. Australians love the story of an underdog and even more when they come out on top. This small part of the plot is created through the shots of Mr Neville in his office with all of his maps and the countless times his is on the phone to more police then juxtaposed by a shot of the girls in the outback slogging it all the way home. The landscape shots are also juxtaposed with shots of the girls to create this sense of smallness and emphasises the enormity of the task ahead.
Molly
Molly, aged 14, is characterised as strong, determined, resourceful, self reliant and brave. All these things are what Australians value you however, at the time the fact she was, “dark but not full blood” (Mr Neville) meant that she was not Australian. The entire movie she challenges this. Her determination and bravery is seen in the montage of shots while her sister, Daisy, and her are crossing the desert. The fact that she doesn’t stop shows her determined she is to get back to her mum. The mid-shot over Molly’s shows the expanse of desert ahead of her with the fence’s end combined with Daisy’s words of, “The fence,” shows us that Mr Neville never had a chance of stopping her. Molly is also very intelligent and clever. She outsmarts the tracker on several occasions and even he recognises the fact and says, “Smart girl that Molly.”
Molly, aged 14, is characterised as strong, determined, resourceful, self reliant and brave. All these things are what Australians value you however, at the time the fact she was, “dark but not full blood” (Mr Neville) meant that she was not Australian. The entire movie she challenges this. Her determination and bravery is seen in the montage of shots while her sister, Daisy, and her are crossing the desert. The fact that she doesn’t stop shows her determined she is to get back to her mum. The mid-shot over Molly’s shows the expanse of desert ahead of her with the fence’s end combined with Daisy’s words of, “The fence,” shows us that Mr Neville never had a chance of stopping her. Molly is also very intelligent and clever. She outsmarts the tracker on several occasions and even he recognises the fact and says, “Smart girl that Molly.”
Gracie
Gracie, aged 11, is the risk taker out of the three. Even though she only has a sliver of hope of finding her mother at Meekatharra she tries anyway. The overhead shot of her walking down the small track while Molly and Daisy follow the fence shows how little of a chance she has of even making it to Meekatharra let alone finding her mum there. This risk taking attribute is what us as viewers like to see as all Australians have a risk taking streak in them no matter how small it is.
Gracie, aged 11, is the risk taker out of the three. Even though she only has a sliver of hope of finding her mother at Meekatharra she tries anyway. The overhead shot of her walking down the small track while Molly and Daisy follow the fence shows how little of a chance she has of even making it to Meekatharra let alone finding her mum there. This risk taking attribute is what us as viewers like to see as all Australians have a risk taking streak in them no matter how small it is.
Daisy
Daisy, aged 8, is extremely loyal and will never leave anyone behind. When Gracie stops walking Daisy tries to pull her in the direction of the fence. This small gesture creates this feeling that she won’t give up on someone and will not leave them behind. She eventually does leave her but then her and Molly go to Meekatharra to try and get her but are too late.
Daisy, aged 8, is extremely loyal and will never leave anyone behind. When Gracie stops walking Daisy tries to pull her in the direction of the fence. This small gesture creates this feeling that she won’t give up on someone and will not leave them behind. She eventually does leave her but then her and Molly go to Meekatharra to try and get her but are too late.
Challenging views
While the three girls challenge the view of Indigenous Australians the tracker in the story confirms it. He is controlled by Mr Neville and does what he wants and goes where he wants. He has no freedom and even though his service period has passed he still must stay in this servitude state as he is not allowed to go back home to the Kimberly. He has the skills to find the girls but he is controlled by Mr Neville and is in no state to use his skills for himself.
While the three girls challenge the view of Indigenous Australians the tracker in the story confirms it. He is controlled by Mr Neville and does what he wants and goes where he wants. He has no freedom and even though his service period has passed he still must stay in this servitude state as he is not allowed to go back home to the Kimberly. He has the skills to find the girls but he is controlled by Mr Neville and is in no state to use his skills for himself.
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