Can Film offer a radical transformation of our understanding of race relations in Australian History?

In the increasingly entertainment based society of today filmic portrayal of historic events has become an increasingly portrayal. This re-enactment, or adaptation of past events can serve in a very positive manner as it allows issues to be brought to mass audiences. Film as a medium allows these issues to be understood from various, alternative positions allowing discussion and understanding. However the accuracy of the understanding gained by a viewer must be questioned as it would not only vary between individuals, but may also have been a result of the film makers including inaccurate information or manipulating the truth of an event.

This argument is restricted to analysis of only three particular historically based films, ‘Jedda’, ‘The chant of Jimmie Blacksmith’ and ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ all of which discuss race relations in Australian History. These films all present many important facts and details surrounding several issues including assimilation, the stolen g...