The film Rabbit-Proof Fence tells the powerful true story of three Aboriginal girls in Australia who escape from a government settlement and embark on a 1,500-mile journey home along the rabbit-proof fence in 1931. The story centers on Molly Craig, her sister Daisy, and their cousin Gracie, who were forcibly removed from their families as part of Australia's "Stolen Generations" policy that targeted mixed-race Aboriginal children.
The historical context of this film, also known as "Long Walk Home" in some regions, addresses the devastating impact of Australia's assimilation policies between 1910 and 1970. During this period, the government removed thousands of mixed-race Aboriginal children from their families, placing them in settlements to be trained as domestic workers. The rabbit-proof fence itself was a real barrier that stretched over 1,000 miles through Western Australia, originally built to prevent rabbits from invading farmland. The fence served as a crucial navigation tool for the girls during their epic journey home. The film's characters are based on real people, including A.O. Neville, the Chief Protector of Aborigines, who believed in "breeding out" Aboriginal blood through forced assimilation.
The story has been adapted into various formats, including a book available in both English and Deutsch (German) versions, with accompanying Unterrichtsmaterial (teaching materials) for classroom use. The narrative follows the girls' determination to return to their mothers despite harsh conditions, tracker pursuit, and numerous obstacles. Their journey becomes a powerful symbol of resistance against institutional racism and the human spirit's resilience. The film's ending stays true to historical events, showing how Molly and Daisy successfully returned home, though Gracie was eventually recaptured. This story continues to serve as an important educational tool about Australia's history and the ongoing impact of colonial policies on Indigenous peoples.