Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Rating PG, running time 1hr 34 mins.

TACKLING an emotive subject such as racial segregation is never going to be easy, but director Phillip Noyce has instilled a fine sense of dignity into his latest work, Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Australia may still be guilt ridden over the forcible removal of mixed race Aborigine children from their families during the last century, but this film thankfully avoids demonisation.

Based on the true life story, it traces the journey of three "half caste" girls in the 1930s, who escape from a centre grooming youngsters as servants for white families.

Focusing on their epic journey of more than 1,000 miles across the outback to return to their home, this is an extraordinary glimpse into the trauma caused by segregation policies.

Possessing great screen presence, the untrained young girls in the lead roles, Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury and Laura Monaghan are both convincing and engaging.

Their determination in evading capture from government officials and a relentless native tracker is quite spellbinding.

They wend their way across beautifully shot desert and scrubland, scavenging whatever they can.

The eldest, Molly, (Everlyn Sampi), guides her younger sister and cousin home following the path of the "longest fence in the world," the rabbit-proof fence of the title.

Matching the panoramic visuals is an equally evocative soundtrack from Peter Gabriel.

This film is clearly strong addition to Director Phillip Noyce's growing canon of striking dramas including Patriot Games and The Bone Collector.

He has clearly put his heart into this project, which is bound to strike a chord.

He has brought out a creditable performance from Kenneth Branagh, who doesn't attempt an Australian accent for his role as the perversely titled, chief protector of Aborigines.

As Mr Neville (labelled Devil by the tribespeople), he professes arcane social theories of helping native people become more white.

Under pressure to recapture the girls, he believes segregation of the population is vital to the survival of society. But he appears to be oblivious to the policy's psychological damage.

Bearing in mind the constraints of using untrained actors, the dialogue has been kept deliberately minimal, which which works well in heightening the drama.

One of its few omissions is a more direct examination of tribal life which would have placed the girls' removal in greater context.

However, It is refreshing to see an arthouse film on general release,

Rabbit-Proof Fence is an uplifting and thought-provoking film. ****

Neill Barston