1. What qualities and values of people are privileged (presented
positively)?
There is a
sense of community in Broome. People are outgoing and laid-back. Everyone knows
each other and most of them are friends with one another. In Broome, the
qualities of the people there is lively and approachable where everyone enjoys
music together by dancing and singing together.
2. Which groups are marginalised or silenced? (presented negatively
or not represented in the movie)
The students
at the Boarding School in Perth are marginalised. This is because the school is
extremely conservative and there are very strict rules applied amongst the
boys. Thus the students there are very limited and restricted and they aren’t
allowed much freedom at all.
3. What aspects
of Aboriginality are presented in a positive way? What words/images are used to
portray them this way?
The fact that Aboriginality has a history
that they cherish and are proud with is presented in a positive way. In addition,
at the end of the movie, everyone wants to be an Aboriginal, portraying
Aboriginality to be the best type of people. This is shown when Willie dreams
about his ancestors/aboriginal guardians protecting him whilst he was in jail.
At the end of the movie, the line, “We are all Aboriginals today!” also conveys
the enthusiasm and pride in being an Aboriginal. One of the song’s lyrics is “There’s nothing I would rather
be/ Than an Aborigine/ And watch you take my precious land away.”
4. What aspects
of Aboriginality are presented in a negative way? What words or images are used
to portray them this way
Racism is used to present Aboriginality in a negative way.
This is presented when Father Benedictus insults Willie, “ I should’ve known it would be one
of you aborigines.” He is judging Aborigines as the more rebellious kind.
5. How are
European Australians represented in the movie? What words/images are used to
portray them this way?
European
Australians are represented as violent and careless in the movie. Lester is an
example of violence. He is disrespectful to Rosie and chooses to use violence
instead of verbal communication to negotiate with Willie. The owner of the
convenience store is also portrayed to be extremely lustful about her body with
any male that she approaches.
6. How is Broome represented in the movie? (note down words used to
describe it and how images portray it as different from other places)
Brome is
represented as a fun and lively place. Willie describes Broome as a place to be
reunited with his friends and family, a place to fish and his home. Many times
the audience is also shown the dancing and singing scenes in Broome where
everyone seems to be having a good time, laughing and drinking beer.
7. How is Perth represented in the movie? (note down words used to
describe it and how images portray it as different from other places)
Perth is
represented as a dull and restricted place. The first scene shown with the
boarding school is wicked and withdrawn.
8. How is Port Headland represented in the movie? (note down words
used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places)
Port
Headland is represented to be extremely sexual. The condom tree had a
significant number of used condoms hung up on the tree, showing that many people
enjoy sexual intercourses. In addition, the woman who tries to get Willie drunk
so she can have sex with him portrays the community in Port Headland as a
wasted and immoral society.
9. Select two of the characters and explain,
using direct evidence from the movie, what type of ‘Australian-ness’ they
represent. (How do they and others view themselves as Australian? This might
include things that you think make them stereotypically Australian)
Lester is
one of the characters that represent a type of ‘Australian-ness’. His
Australian accent is a major give-away but his laid-back attitude and his
arrogant personality also seems to be involved with how Australian men are
stereotypically portrayed. This is shown when Lester bashes Willie up over
Rosie just for the reason that he wants to talk to her.
Another
character that represents a type of ‘Australian-ness’ is Roadhouse Betty, where
she is also a laid-back and aggressive character. Roadhouse Betty clearly
implies her sexual desire for Willie when he enters the convenience store to
buy food but when she finds out he has stolen food, she reveals a very large gun,
aiming for Willie and his group. This
not only shows that Australians are too carefree but it also represents
Australians as being quite ‘loose’.
10. Overall what
representation of “Australian-ness” does Bran Nue Dae portray?
(attitudes/beliefs/ideas make someone an Australian according to the movie)
Overall, “Australian-ness” is being
represented as being outgoing and relaxed. The jolly musical scenes where the
community in Broome dances and have fun together proves this. The idea that
Broome is a heart-warming place and a holiday location for fishing and drinking
beer is also represented within the Australian community. Throughout the whole
movie, not many racist issues had risen to the surface, demonstrating that
Australians are generally very multicultural and treats others, such as the
Aboriginals, with equal rights.
Victoria Lee
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