裸足の1500マイル [DVD]

   オーストラリアの先住民・アボリジニを隔離しようとする政策に従い、アボリジニと白人の混血の少女3人が家族から引き離され、英語やキリスト教など白人としての教育を受ける。家族に会いたい彼女たちは、施設を抜け出し、1500マイル（2400キロ）もの道をひたすら歩き続けた。実話をもとに、オーストラリア出身のフィリップ・ノイスが監督したヒューマンな感動作。
   先住民を教育（洗脳？）しようとするヨーロッパ人の傲慢さが下敷きになっているものの、声高に彼らを批判するだけの作品ではない。アボリジニ保護局長（ケネス・ブラナーが好演）も、あくまで良心に従って行動している部分がうかがわれ、完全な悪役として描かれないところがリアルだ。3人の少女を演じる子役たちの表情がなんとも力強く、ラストには、モデルになった女性たちも登場し、感動を新たにさせる。（斉藤博昭）

Based on a true story, Rabbit-Proof Fence moves with dignified grace from its joyful opening scenes to a conclusion that's moving beyond words. The title refers to a 1,500-mile fence separating outback desert from the farmlands of Western Australia. It is here, in 1931, that three aboriginal girls are separated from their mothers and transported to a distant training school, where they are prepared for assimilation into white society by a racist government policy. Gracie, Daisy, and Molly belong to Australia's "stolen generations," and this riveting film (based on the book by Molly's daughter, Doris Pilkington Garimara) follows their escape and tenacious journey homeward, while a stubborn policy enforcer (Kenneth Branagh) demands their recapture. Director Phillip Noyce chronicles their ordeal with gentle compassion, guiding his untrained, aboriginal child actors with a keen eye for meaningful expressions. Their performances evoke powerful emotions (subtly enhanced by Peter Gabriel's excellent score), illuminating a shameful chapter of Australian history while conveying our universal need for a true and proper home. --Jeff Shannon

RABBIT-PROOF Fence -- featuring the Golden Globe-nominated score by Peter Gabriel - is a powerful true story of hope and survival and has been met with international acclaim! At a time when it was Australian government policy to train aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society, young Molly Craig decides to lead her little sister and cousin in a daring escape from their internment camp. Molly and the girls, part of what would become known as Australia's "Stolen Generations," must then elude the authorities on a dangerous 1,500-mile adventure along the rabbit-proof fence that bisects the continent and will lead them home. As shown by this outstanding motion picture, their universally touching plight and unparalleled courage are a beautiful testament to the undying strength of the human spirit!