Theme How is it conveyed
Terra nullius •Through the role and attitude of P.J. Kilorian - •Consideration of terra nullius underpins the
(civil rights) protector in islands
•Through the two challenges in the Australian
courts: Mabo v Qld Gov. and Mabo v Aus. Gov.
• the case for land on Murray island was defeated why Eddie Mabo became a key figure in
by prosecutors who made Eddie appear greedy
and too articulate to genuinely be a Murray
islander, and disconnected from Murray island.
•The case against the federal Gov. "the one" is
ultimately successful in overturning terra nullius
Love, family, •Love story between Bonita and Eddie. She stood
relationships by him for 30 years in everything he did, and she
was a big part of his life
•Weakness of Mabo's connection with his
children. The weak connection between Mabo
and his children develops the audience's
understanding of the sacrifice Mabo was making
for the land claim.
•The land seems to become an obsession for him,
and is displayed using a cut to one of his children
listening to his conversation with Bonita.
•The case became everything, and although he
loved his children, Mabo was consumed by the
land claim.
•Mabo's pride in his children, and teaching them
about culture. Many of the scenes where we do
see the children, Mabo
Why is it conveyed
relationship between indigenous and non-
indigenous Australians for two hundred years
of settlement. Concept of empty land
negates the aboriginal and Torres strait land
claims
•The overturning of terra nullius is one of the
central themes of Mabo, and is the reason
Australian political and social history
•He wants to be a family man (starting the
indigenous school). It is important to him. He
becomes so caught up in the land claim.
•"I've lived through this 9 years, morning day
and night
Specific eg.
•"You are young and hot headed, and it
is my job to protect you from yourself."
•"Is this the one?" Quotes from
Reynolds and Eddie at JCU when Eddie
learns that the land on Murray island is
not legally his, despite what he has
believed his whole life, and what we see
in the opening sequence of the film
•Beautiful silhouette...doorway. Sunlight
behind you, you were just a silhouette.
Beautiful silhouette. I reckon that’s the
moment I fell in love with you. Even
before I knew you was gonna make
history
•the train scene
•“I never knew how hard it was for you
to grow them up.”
Lack of scenes with his children included
•"I can prove it five generations at least"
[cut back to one of the children sleeping
and listening to the conversation]
•"Good boy" His pride when he recited
the octopus story
Injustice •Often overlaps with racism. Film highlights
conflict between traditional and European system without a voice
of ownership, Focus on civil rights links to the
international sense of indigenous and black rights
evident in the 1960s and 1970s.
•Ultimate injustice: Eddie Mabo dies without
knowing the outcome of case. Greg McIntyre
appeals (unsuccessfully) for a quicker judgement
in recognition of this injustice.
Racism and •Through the discriminatory laws
inequality • Through the unequal treatment imposed on
Mabo and his family by white Australians in
Townsville
•Aboriginal and Torres strait islanders are
•Disempowered as second class citizens
•Disempowerment shown through denial of
right of access to visit his dying father
•To give insight to viewers of how horrible
Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders
were treated in the late 20th century were
treated Townsville, Australia – and how
unequal treatment shaped their position in
society
•This is shown by when Bonita says, “People
like us can’t afford to be troublemakers” to
which Mabo replied “Bonita, people like us
have no choice but to be troublemakers.”
•"We hand it down from father to son,
how can we not own it?"
Eddie says to council on Murray Island
"this is the most important thing that's
happened on Murray Island in 200 years.
•Council does not recognise this. Doesn't
see the issue as bigger than Eddie's claim
for land he left 30 years ago. This plays
into the hands of the Qld Gov., who uses
the same thinking to undermine his claim
•When the police officer stopped Mabo
to check him for doing nothing, saying
“you know the drill”
•Mabo not being able to get a drink from
the bar with a sign “I’m not leaving until I
get a drink” to which the waiter replied
that it wasn’t him, but “the law” and this
leads to Eddie getting locked up
•“People like us can’t afford to be
troublemakers”
•threatening calls that Mabo’s family
received
Murray •Eddie's pride in his son in being able to retell •To show pride that Mabo has in his •'This is who you are'
island and traditional stories of Malo connection to the land
the
traditional
way of life •In his first meeting with Netta he introduces •Shows the audience how deep this •“I’m sending you this coconut as a
himself as Koiki not his 'white' name that connection is and allows the viewer to reminder of home”.
disconnects him from his connection Conveyed understand what Mabo is fighting for, •In the opening scene, his father teaches
through the contrast between life on the island through this the audience can emphasise him an appreciation of the land and the
and life on the mainland with Mabo's plight Merriam way of life “They made him die
•This connection is portrayed through singing, without being able to look his son in the
when Eddie goes to the mainland his connection eye and fulfil tradition”.
the land is diminished and in a poignant scene the
importance of maintaining his culture Is shown
•The opening scene establishes a connection
between Mabo and the land through his father
and him on the shore of the island, his father
teaches him an appreciation of the land and the
Merriam way of life
•The traditional music also reinforces this
connection