Servant or Slave

Servant or Slave is a poignant and heartbreaking Australian documentary directed by Steven McGregor. The film was released in 2016 and is a powerful portrayal of the brutal and inhumane history suffered by thousands of aboriginal children in the Australian government's program of forced labour.

The film thrusts light on the little-known story of the Stolen Generations — a term referring to the thousands of Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their homes and families by government agencies and church missions during the 20th century under official government policy. The narrative is told through the personal stories of five women - Rita, Violet, Adelaide, Rita, and Doreen – who, as young girls, were part of the scheme. The film is exclusively narrated by these women, lending it an intense personal element.

The film presents the pain and anguish experienced by these children, now mature women, who were taken from their families as part of this policy. As young girls, they were made to work as domestic servants in white households, often under brutal and degrading conditions, hence the title of the movie Servant or Slave.

The documentary is uniquely brought to life with the use of animated re-enactments. These animations are strategically used alongside harrowing interviews of the survivors to depict their unimaginable trauma, their experiences of racial segregation, and the outrage of stolen childhoods.

Satirical and emotionally charged, Larissa Behrendt personifies Rita in an exceptional portrayal, embodying her courage and strength. Valerie Linow's performance as Adelaide reaches the depth of her character's pain, conveying the struggle Adelaide experienced. Cheyenne Cruse bestows upon Violet a unique vitality that highlights the courage of these women.

As the documentary unfolds, it gradually reveals the hidden history and sheds light on the societal scourge of slavery and forced labor while questioning the nation’s perception of its history. It showcases the spirit and resilience displayed by these women who managed to survive this dark phase of Australian history.

The film also emphasizes the long-lasting impact of the policy on the lives of these women, their families, and community. The trauma has left a legacy of intergenerational trauma and disadvantage that continues to reverberate through Aboriginal communities.

Another important element of the movie is its outstanding music score and sound design. These elements not only help express the emotion and depth of the experiences but also sympathetically respect the denoted narratives. The filmmakers thoughtfully and artistically used sound and music to create a haunting, emotional undercurrent throughout the film.

The production team of Servant or Slave, composed of Steven McGregor and Hetti Perkins, alongside executive producer Michaela Perske, do an excellent job of presenting this harsh and sad part of history. The film is a carefully crafted balance between documentary storytelling and dramatized enactment, making it gripping and unforgettable.

The significance of Servant or Slave extends beyond it being a movie. It acts as an indictment of government policies that led to generations of suffering, records the resilience and courage of individuals, and serves as a call for national healing.

Servant or Slave poses an important narrative in the world of cinema; it highlights a significant yet shocking episode of Australia's history, gives a voice to the suppressed, and leaves viewers with a moment of reckoning with Australia's colonization past. It is a testament to the spirit of survival in the face of tragic circumstances.

Concluding without spoilers, Servant or Slave is not just a movie; it's a sobering lesson in history and humanity. It touches on themes of racial segregation, child labour, colonialism and their ongoing impacts with a stark and unflinching approach. It is a memorable visual experience that leaves an indelible imprint in the minds of its viewers because of its emotionally charged storytelling.

In the end, Servant or Slave is more than a documentary; it's a voice for the voiceless, a moving tribute to the survivors, and an important reminder of a part of history that should never be forgotten.