The progressive nature of our humanity is demonstrated through the independent development of new morals and perspectives within each individual throughout their day to day life. This natural inclination to evolve and expand, physically and psychologically, is the process of discovery. The importance of discovery is evident in Ivan Mahoney’s 2011 trilogical documentary ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’ and is further supported by Matt Ottley’s 2008 graphic novel ‘Requiem for a Beast’. Both texts explore fresh experiences that allow individuals to reassess their former perspectives of self and society. These transformations can be a result of challenging undertakings, conflict between differing views, and physical isolation. (don’t list) It …show more content…
This is revealed in Mahoney’s Go Back To Where You Came From in which the central characters are forced to reassess their prejudices as they are exposed to new truths and insights on the harsh realities surrounding the experiences of refugees. In the opening introductory montage of the text, the protagonists, Raquel and Raye refer to African people as “bastards” and unnecessarily highlight their “blackness.” This derogatory language dehumanises African people and reflects a common Australian left-hand view of the time. Raye is initially intolerant of refugees when she antagonistically comments that she could have “shot the lot of them”. However, this perception later shows signs of gradual transformation, replaced by newfound cultural empathy with insight into the plight of refugees. This is evidenced in the scene where Raquel and Raye react to the violent imagery of anarchy, rape and death in Congo from the matriarch of the Masudi family, Maisara. Their reaction is captured with a medium shot that emphasises Raquel and Raye’s body language and close ups of Raye’s horrified, incredulous facial expression, portraying their shock and distress. Her proceeding statement ‘I had no idea it was so bad”, along with the reflective melodic music and her tears, work in conjunction with the camerawork to indicate that Raye was deeply moved by this discovery which provoked her sympathise …show more content…
These difference in opinions can lead individuals to new attitudes and insight. The central protagonists of ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’ majorly hold stereotypical Australian ‘leftie’ views which empathetically convert in typical right hand perceptions. This is the case when Raye is further propelled into her journey of discovery through the exposure to the Malaysian midnight raids. This event challenged the Australians on their perceptions of illegal “in transit” refugees, by witnessing their capture and arrest. This change in perspective towards the Malaysian “shadow world” is brought about by their newfound introduction into the traumatic, confrontational experiences of Maisara and the attachment with the “in transit” Chin people. The hand-held camera footage frequently cuts between the participants and the raid to mirror the chaotic and disorderly nature of the assault. When transitioned to Raye, a medium shot reveals her shaking her head in disbelief, and frantic repeated stuttering of “I don’t know. I don’t know”. Her acute tone of agitation and body gestures suggests that she was overwhelmed by the inhumanity and abrasiveness of the raids, again forcing her to confront her views on refugees. Raye grows an empathetic heart for the refugees on her journey of discovery encompassing direct confrontation with their plight of despair. On the other hand,
Anne Zahalka cleverly presents her intentions and interests in the world clearly throughout her artworks, more specifically her series ‘Welcome to Sydney’. Through the creation of this series Zahalka was interested in the changing multicultural nature of Australian society, closely drawing the audiences attention to the cultural frame. She effectively does this by portraying the subjects with dignity and respect by deliberately positioning them in an area in which they connect with. In doing so, Zahalka acknowledges her own experience, as the daughter of immigrant parents has influenced her conceptual practice. She uses cultural symbols to show the individuals are different, yet making them as one being put into Australian locations. In the image ‘Guangan Wu, Market Gardens, Kyeemagh’ a chinese immigrant stands in a panoramic landscape of market garden...
Eden Robinson and Constance Lindsay Skinner depict the harrowing treatment of Indigenous people through intimate unveiling of memories and dialogue, allowing readers to connect and sympathize with the characters. It also shows the intergenerational damage of residential schools and injustices experienced, and continue to be experienced, by the Aboriginal population. Birthright and Monkey Beach show that past abuse and injustices can lead to a continually viscous cycle of violence and trauma.
I am used to living a very busy life style, so I never paid close attention to where my food was originating from. Usually when I look at my food it is more to find out its nutritional value rather than its origins. After reading Kelsey Timmerman’s “Where Am I Eating?”, it has opened my eyes to some of the horrors of the food industry. Regardless of what I have learned, changing my eating habits would be very challenging, and I do not believe it is entirely necessary. Yes, there are many negatives in the global food economy, but it is not totally corrupt as Timmerman suggests. I believe it would be very difficult to change because of the many misleading food labels, the United States has become unfamiliar with how to produce for the entirety
In Australia the Aboriginals face discrimination daily. The film opened with four young Aboriginal girls singing on a makeshift stage facing their community. When the camera panned to show the smiling faces in the crowd it gave a feel of unity and love. Later it showed two sisters who were trying to hitch a ride into the city from the main road. Yet every vehicle passed them by; once they saw who they were, frustrated the older sister. Gale stated it was because they ‘were black’. When in the town playing their song on the stage in a bar, the youngest sister turned up and took
In some ways, Kellie’s depiction was entirely bias and unfair, as to the choice of footage used; there was no indication of the various charities that aim to alleviate poverty within Australia, including: Salvos, Anglicare and St Vincent de Paul. This is entirely symbolic of how the media falsely depicts those in poverty, with the pure aim of entertaining the audience, showing a complete lack of empathy. Similarly, the concept of disrespect was evident in tourists that we saw at the public restaurants we visited throughout the journey; some were excessively drinking, whilst others were littering or using obscene language at local Khmer people. From a personal perspective, a lack of understanding between any individuals, whether they are disadvantaged or advantaged, contradicts Christian values and ideals, making the producer and the other tourists somewhat disrespectful and uncompassionate towards the Mt Druitt and Cambodian community
“Fire away. Take your best shot, show me what you got. Honey I’m not afraid (Chris, Lines 4-5)…” Strength, love, heartache, all words that many people can identify with, but what about mental illness, depression, and suicide. These words are those that humans avoid, pretend they are not there, but in reality those three words effect many more people that was ever thought possible. Over 18.2% of United States citizens suffer from a mental illness (Depression), 6.7% of United States citizens suffer from depression (Depression), and each year in the United States there are on average 42,773 deaths by suicide (American). Now, many people can relate to the words love and heartbreak, but many more can identify with the three words that the world
Though the film mentioned the impact that residential schools had and still has on the aboriginal people, I felt that this issue needed to be stressed further because the legacy of the schools is still extremely prominent in aboriginal communities today. The film refers to the fact that residential schools harmed the aboriginal people because they were not able to learn their culture, which has resulted in the formation of internalized oppression within in the group. “The...
The film deals heavily on the subject of immigration and deportation surrounding, inside the film there are scenes where there are immigrates inside of cages due to them being caught and being departed. The sad thing about this is most immigrates who are in the cage suffered so many depressing and horrific things from where they are from that the thought of being in this new place shows them a completely different life and it gives them a sense of hope, “Poor refugees; after escaping the worst atrocities and
My first song I´ve chosen is Sean McGee, song titled My Story. Mainly the song is about him facing different struggles, obstacles, and all the horrible things and situations he´s been in throughout his life. I can connect to this song and the lyrics for many reasons. One of his lines were ¨Do you know how it feels to be left out in the rain¨? And I have faced times like this when I feel like no one is there or have my back, and in the line he´s trying express how it feels to have nobody and be all alone. Also throughout this song he expresses how everyday you wake up your face with something rather it's just a minor issue or something that will greatly impact your life.
Within Australia, beginning from approximately the time of European settlement to late 1969, the Aboriginal population of Australia experienced the detrimental effects of the stolen generation. A majority of the abducted children were ’half-castes’, in which they had one white parent and the other of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Following the government policies, the European police and government continued the assimilation of Aboriginal children into ‘white’ society. Oblivious to the destruction and devastation they were causing, the British had believed that they were doing this for “their [Aborigines] own good”, that they were “protecting” them as their families and culture were deemed unfit to raise them. These beliefs caused ...
Discoveries can be unexpected and sudden or they can transform from a process of careful and calculated planning evoked by curiosity, and wonder. These discoveries can lead individuals to search for meaning through a series of experiences. Simon Nasht’s documentary Frank Hurley - The Man Who Made History (2004) captures the experiences of adventurer, Frank Hurley as he explores the importance of discovery through the challenges that evoke individuals to transform through a process of journeys of discovery and exploration. John Keats’ poem ‘On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer’ (1816) portrays the persona discovering Chapman’s translation of Homer’s epic poems evoking a transformative process from a passive reader of literature to be stimulated
The title “Inside Out and Back Again”relates to the universal refugee experience of fleeing and finding home for both Ha and the many refugees around the world who had their lives turned “inside out” as they fled, but then came “back again” as they found a new
Many people in the world get into an almost unbreakable routine, shielding themselves from the real world. We wake up, brush our teeth, go to school with the same people, go home, and do it all over again. Once there is a roadblock in the way, it forces us to step outside our shell and look at others views for a change. American mythologist, writer, and lecturer,Joseph Campbell once said,”We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” It is the act of noticing others words and actions that will reshape our lives for the better. In “Secret Samantha” and “Sol Painting, Inc.” the authors suggest that observing someone else’s perspective and taking the time to understand others can be mankind's greatest
Specific elements of the storyline that display the theme racism include: the display of animalistic treatment, enforced religious practices, and historical comparisons. The film reveals the overarching government belief that the white race is smarter and purer, to the inferior, uncivilized and misguided, darker-skinned, Aboriginals. This belief is demonstrated throughout the film and signifies the government’s attitudes toward the half-caste race as: uncivilized animals that need a trainer to discipline them. For example, the film shows the girls being transported like livestock to th...
In the film Rabbit Proof Fence, Phillip Noyce uncovers the trauma, upheaval and journey of the victims of the Stolen Generation had to face and come to terms with, how most suffered poor treatment and mental distress. Noyce takes us on a journey through hardship and bravery, he lets us understand that a journey is not only physical but mental too. We see Aboriginals kinship to the land and how they are psychically and emotionally attached to it. One must have determination and courage to succeed through life’s hardships.