Amnesty International to Host First Los Angeles Screening of Phillip Noyce's "Rabbit Proof Fence" at Museum of Tolerance Tonight

Business Wire, Nov 19, 2002

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2002

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will host the first Los Angeles screening of Phillip Noyce's groundbreaking film "Rabbit Proof Fence" (Miramax) at the Museum of Tolerance tonight (Nov. 19) at 7 p.m.

The screening event will include remarks by Geoffrey Rush, AIUSA Executive Director William F. Schulz, along with a special introduction by director Phillip Noyce.

"Rabbit Proof Fence" is the true story of Molly Craig, a young Aboriginal girl who, along with her younger sister and cousin, escaped from a state-run orphanage created as part of a government policy to relocate and train Aboriginal children as domestic workers and integrate them into white society. The girls undertake an epic journey over 1,500 miles through Australia's outback to return home. This powerful film by Phillip Noyce is based on the book Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara, daughter of Molly Craig, who will also attend the event.

"This film portrays an inspiring story of courage, freedom and resistance to a government policy that remained in force until 1970 and resulted in tens of thousands of children being taken from their homes, destroying families and decimating Aboriginal culture," said AIUSA Executive Director William F. Schulz.

"There are today many in Australia who are working toward reconciliation on this issue; this film may very well aid in that effort. Congratulations to Phillip Noyce for bringing to light an important story in such a compelling way."

Amnesty International's collaboration with Rumbalara Films and Miramax to promote "Rabbit Proof Fence" is a part of its mission to educate the public about human rights issues worldwide, and follows similar promotional efforts on other films with human rights content, including Paul Greengrass' "Bloody Sunday" (2002) and Julian Schnabel's "Before Night Falls" (2001).

"The issues addressed by these films -- intolerance, discrimination, racism, civil rights and genocide -- are unfortunately more relevant today than ever," said Bonnie Abaunza, AIUSA's Director of Artist Relations.

"The opportunities that these films offer the public lie in their lessons of history, captured with inspired artistry, that we hope will compel people to take action to defend human rights."

"Film is so powerful because it invites us to identify with the characters on the screen, no matter how remote their lives seem from us," said Director Phillip Noyce. "That is something that no amount of leaflets or government reports can ever drive home to us."

The Amnesty International screening event is by invitation only. A reception and silent auction will follow the screening at the Museum of Tolerance.

Press seats are available; please call in advance for credentials. Contact: Dennis Palmieri, 310-815-0450 or 415-235-9565 (cell on-site).