One Night the Moon Movie Review

In association to a variety of cultural groups, many prevailing assumptions raised by society of the time affirm and challenge these assumptions. It is evident that to a large degree this occurs through Rachel Perkin’s use of cinematic constructions such as high angles in the film One Night the Moon, effectively exploring this idea. Rachel’s use of the character Jim Ryan highlights the differences in perspectives between cultural groups in Australia.

Rachel Perkins uses the character of Jim Ryan to display and demonstrate cultural assumptions regarding the Non Indigenous in the 1930s. This is extensively established through the eye level angle of Jim using derogatory language towards Albert by calling him a “darkie”. The use of this specific camera angle shows the intimidating body language and positioning Jim conducts when speaking these words, signifying Jim to have a place of higher authority over the situation. This suggests that Albert is not given the simplistic recognition of his name but instead he is looked down upon by the Non-Indingeous Australian society. The eye level angle places the audience on the same level as the characters of Jim, Rose, Albert and the officers and proposes a personal connection to the conversation as if they were experiencing for their own which amplifies feelings of empathy towards Albert. When Jim uses the term “darkie” it demonstrates how he views Albert as an inferior intruder and how he shouldnt be allowed the same basic opportunities as White Australians. The harsh tone of voice Jim uses when insisting “no blacks on my land” displays the anger and frustration Jim feels with being placed in the situation of confronting an Indigenous man although he doesn't look him in the eyes, showing that Jim does not believe that Albert deserves the simple eye contact- a basic form of human communication. Further, the surrounding police officers also do not stand up for Albert as racism was common and typical at the time. During this scene, one of the non indigenous officers that attend this investigation for Emily, is offered tea by Rose however Albert is never provided with this luxury of an offer. Additionally, Rose glances Albert up and down with very judgemental facial expressions as seen with the eye level shot, showing she is uncomfortable and distressed in the presence of an Indigenous man. This is due to the common racial stereotypes and assumptions of the time about the dangerous nature of Indigenous men, commonly being to blame for inflicting harm or causing problems for the non indigenous. This enhances the racist attitudes the Indigenous dealt with at the time further proving the affirmation of the assumptions of the indigenous cultural group.

The disrupting of prevailing assumptions is shown through the birds eye/ high angle view of Jim with his head down on the table, demonstrating how he feels useless with his incapability of finding his daughter. This angle shows the vulnerability and hopelessness Jim feels as he is ashamed of his inability to fulfil his role as the family patriarch and therefore he is pictured next to an empty bottle of alcohol as he has lost all confidence he once identified with. In the 1930s the role of the father was to be the protector, provider and decision maker of the family due to fitting into societal standards of the time, however Jim challenges this. The Ryan family lived in the remote and barren outback of Australia where families were isolated and husbands had to go away to work. The disappearance of Emily was left as a problem for Jim to resolve and despite the search for Emily eventually being called off, Jim vows to continue searching as he states “I’m not giving up anyway”. The close up of his face shows his independent determination to fulfil the expectations placed upon him as head of the household. During the 1930s, men were commonly expected to provide for the family and own property as they were charged with taking the initiative in any endeavor. Although, since these years, times have changed significantly with women taking on more difficult duties. The film clearly establishes that men are the more dominant figure in the household and have to be so, to successfully achieve the societal expectations of the time.   This reinforces the challenge of societal expectations of gender roles in the 1930s and gaining the acceptance of society.

Rachel Perkins has supported prevailing assumptions about non-indigenous Australians in 1930s through the song “This Land is Mine/Me”. This song juxtaposes the two different aspects between Jim and Albert and how each of them view the land in its entirety. Jim refers to the land as “mine” which highlights his personal feeling of importance for the ownership of the land, due to life being a struggle in the 1930s with limited resources such as food and money. Jim feels as though he has accomplished his life goals of owning this land and supplying for his family. The lyrics “im working hard just to make it pay” further amplifies the difficulties of supplying basic living needs and how Jims consistent efforts have not been recognised, therefore he feels the need to state this. Jim sings with a possessive and arrogant nature as he is again determined to find his daughter. Additionally, the violin is played in a major key which becomes faster for Jims increasing desperation to find Emily. This is significant as it adds a sense of urgentness and tension to the atmosphere, therefore creating a mood of restlessness, pressure and curiosity for the audience. The wide angle of Jim and the non indigenous Australians are shown trampling all over the land which reinforces their dissociation from the land and how they saw the land as a commodity which they could profit from. This reflects their attitude, which severely lacks respect, as they trample the land carelessly and negligently.  This is presented in Jim singing “ I signed on the dotted line” implying that Jim views the land as something to farm, use and own to benefit his life from financially. This confirms the aspect of prevailing assumptions as the non indigenous constantly possessed the land and exploited it for their own needs and benefits in the 1930s.

In the film One Night the Moon, it is made clear that the most significant perspective of Jim Ryan demonstrates both the affirming and challenging of assumptions and behaviours within cultural groups. This has been reflected by Rachel Perkins through the use of film devices such as high angles, derogatory language and juxtaposition, further enhancing the audiences understanding of the importance of cultural assumptions in modern society.

Rachel Perkins has used many different aspects of cinematic construction in order to create the film “One Night the Moon”. I had chosen to incorporate the most memorable scene of Jim being racist to Albert and not allowing him to help find his daughter as I believe it to be important in the message that Rachel is conveying of racial attitudes and behaviours against the Indigenous. The cinematography and derogatory language she had used to create this scene portrays Albert as a criminal through Jim’s perspective, and Jim as both arrogant and disrespectful. I had chosen this scene as it clearly demonstrates the significance and prominence of racial attitudes and how the society of the time was isolated by these differences. This scene has high effectiveness in trying to convey this message and therefore proves the initial point of view Rachel intended.

Jim has the clear responsibility of managing and taking care of the household so i incorporated the scene of him being placed in a situation that challenges this with him next to an empty bottle of alcohol. This scene opposes the gender roles in the 1930s by making him appear helpless and vulnerable which strengthens my response therefore proving the challenging of prevailing assumptions against the Indigenous. 

Finally, the addition of the song “ This Land is Mine/Me” reinforces the ownership of the land by the non indigenous which also consolidates the need for societal acceptance at the time further enhancing this point. The effectiveness of my response answering the question is of high effectiveness as it addresses all the given aspects and analyses them thoroughly as well as adding an in depth analysis and explanation of the context. This allows for an in depth understanding of the reason and meaning behind why this film was originally created and for what purpose it serves. The techniques i have chosen for this response are simple to understand and i believe are the right techniques for explaining the prevailing assumptions of a cultural group as they effectively convey what i have to say. My interpretation of the film in this response highlights the cultural difficulties faced at the time with a simplistic yet sophisticated language to both educate and evaluate the given question thoroughly.