Backbencher

This film was about three Aboriginal girls that were forcibly removed from their families by the government and sent to a substandard boarding school that was far from their home. The mothers of the girls were shown grieving throughout the movie. Eventually, the girls decided to run away from the school and return home. They met strangers along the way that gave them food and guidance. While they were on the run, an Aboriginal man from the school and numerous government officials were searching for them and their plight was known throughout the continent. Eventually, one of the girls was captured as she attempted to catch a train.

The two remaining girls were able to locate a fence that stretched across the barren interior of Australia. The fence was intended to keep out rabbits and the girls knew that if they followed it, the fence would lead them home. After walking hundreds of miles the girls were at the point of exhaustion and almost gave up hope. It was at this point that they realized that they were almost there. When they arrived home, their mothers were waiting for them and hid them from the government.

This film graphically depicted the treatment of Aboriginal families by the government of Australia and its white citizens during that time period. It clearly showed the intentional destruction of Aboriginal culture and the forced assimilation of native children into white society. I thought the movie was excellent but felt that it lacked an explanation as to why the government was doing this as well as the effect that it had on Aboriginal culture and identity.