Responding To Representations in Bran Nue Dae

1.             What qualities and values of people are privileged (presented positively)?

The qualities and values of people who are viewed positively are someone who is down-to-earth yet (unlike most characters) has a mild set of morals/rules that they follow. Most people (by the end of the film) defy these rules that you had though they lived by (e.g Willies mother) but because so many in Broome are seen to defy this then the people who are present positively change slightly to be people who are part of a family (no matter how complicated) and who take care of each other. 

2.            Which groups are marginalised or silenced? (presented negatively or not represented in the movie)

The rest of the Perth, community outside of the school are not refered to. Also abrigionies who want to have the ‘privileged’ life are also not mentioned. Groups of people who are viewed negatively are the white community as they are portrayed as being larrikin or highly full of themselves.

3.             What aspects of Aboriginality are presented in a positive way? What words/images are used to portray them this way? Parts of the aboriginal society are viewed as positive including their ‘down to earth’ manner (when Willie thinks about how he wants to live like – catching fish etc). Also their connection as a community and God are viewed in a positive manner, this shown by how the German Hippies view the society when they arrive in Broome.

4.       What aspects of Aboriginality are presented in a negative way? What words or images are used to portray them this way: In the film, aborigines are negatively portrayed as drunks and thieves. This is dominantly portrayed by Uncle Tadpole and his influence over Willie; however, it is also shown through many of the other abrigionals they come into contact with on their journey. Another representation is that they do not follow rules of society and have complex love lifes (Willies mother and Missy)

5.       How are European Australians represented in the movie? What words/images are used to portray them this way? The European Australians are postrayed in a negative manner, with an attraction to violence. This is shown through the lady at the petrol station who appears unattractive and repulsive. Also having no hesitation in pulling out a gun. It is also shown through Rosies short-term boyfriend when he tries to beat Willie up.

6.         How is Broome represented in the movie? (note down words used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places) Broome is represented as a very down-to-earth place where everyone lives by their own rules which mostly don’t coinside with the expected rules of societies. At the beginning of the film the kids in the town are signing words along the lines of “I don’t care if you wear a condom” suggesting their ease of talking about sex life and their approach to it. It is a community where everybody knows everybody and most will continue to live off the land within Broome.

7.         How is Perth represented in the movie? (note down words used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places) Perth is only briefly seen in the film, however in that time it is the representation of a strict society with many rules. It is the opposite to Broome and Willie does not want to be apart of it.

8.        How is Port Headland represented in the movie? (note down words used to describe it and how images portray it as different from other places) Port Headland is viewed as a highly inappropriate society where there are no set rules that the society abides. This is specifically noted in the "condom tree" scene where Willie is already drunk (something that he would not likely do on other circumstance) and about to have sex with Missy under a tree filled with condoms. It represents that this is a place where one would do things that he or she would not consider doing in any other area. 

9.         Select two of the characters and explain, using direct evidence from the movie, what type of ‘Australian-ness’ they represent. (How do they and others view themselves as Australian? This might include things that you think make them stereotypically Australian) Uncle Tadpole represents the stereotypical aborigine who spends his time conning people in so that he can get money for alcohol. He views his actions as being normal and the community views his actions as being ‘typically aborigine’. The character of Father Benidictus represents the Austrialans who were involved with the church. His racist words against the aborigines are typical of this stereotype of Australian.

10.       Overall what representation of “Australian-ness” does Bran Nue Dae portray? (attitudes/beliefs/ideas make someone an Australian according to the movie) Overall “Australian-ness” is viewed as complicated yet down to earth. The film begins with everyone living a supposidate ‘set lifestyle’ but as the film progresses the audience begins to understand that no-one is as they pretend to be and that everyone is part of a small community and connected to each other in a familiar way.