Weekly Response #7:

DUE NEXT WEEK (April 13th): In a 2-3 page journal entry, reflect on your readings and the film, Rabbit-Proof Fence, and discuss your feelings/thoughts about the use of film as a vehicle for history and/or the telling of historical events. Focus specifically on the readings and what you have learned thus far and/or what is called into question in regards to the truth of the film's content. Here are some questions to help guide you: 

• Given what is called into question (in terms of whether the film is accurately reflecting the facts of that era and what happened to the Aboriginals) and the article by Judith Doneson, do you believe that cinema is, or can be, a useful vehicle for history and the learning of history? Why or why not? 

• Should the learning of history through cinema entail accurate reflection of fact? Or do you believe it is perfectly alright (and perhaps even necessary) to take creative liberties in the telling or retelling of historical events within the context of cinema (or any other art, for that matter)? Why or why not? 

• What exactly do you believe the role of cinema should or should not be in terms of historical narratives? Why or why not? 

• What are some of the dangers of attempting to represent history in cinema? Advantages? Explain. 

• Out of all the readings, which reflected and/or informed Rabbit Proof Fence the most effectively? Why? How? Or what questions did you walk away with? What issues were left unresolved for you? Explore the readings with relationship to the film, giving a general overall impression of how you felt the readings informed your understanding of the film or vice versa. 

** Always, always back up your thoughts with some example, quote, or explanation.