> >What is a rabbit?
>
> You do not know what a rabbit is? You skipped childhood or something? A
> rabbit is a cute, furry animal with a high cuddle factor. Very
> popular with
> children. Tastes quite good, too.
>
> Although given the context, Dan probably meant a car...   :-)

1. Rabbit (noun, vehicle) is what the rest of the world calls the VW Golf.
Alberto might be able to clear up whether it is called a Rabbit or a Golf in
south America.

2. Rabbit (noun, pest) The rabbit is the worst animal to have been
introduced into Australia. It is noxious vermin that has wiped out many
indigenous species. Do NOT believe Richard Adam's propaganda piece
"Watership Down"! Hazel is E.V.I.L.  ;-) Worse still, it does NOT taste
nice! (at least not to this little black duck). Also called underground
mutton - but then, I've never much liked mutton either.

And while we're speaking about rabbit: tonight my wife and I saw "Rabbit
Proof Fence", by Phil Noyce at an advance movie screening. It'll be June
before it gets released in the US: all I can say is please go see it when it
comes out. It's about three young aboriginal girls who were removed from
their mothers in 1931 because they were half-caste. Sent thousands of
kilometres away to a mission station to be trained as domestic servants,
they soon escaped and started the 1500 mile walk home with trackers and
police following them. Based on a true story, one of thousands that were
enacted up until the 1970s.

Beautifully photographed, with great acting throughout it is a really great
film. It also refrains from demonising the government/police involved in
what has become the "stolen generations". The Native Protector, played by
Kenneth Branagh, is shown as removing the kids for what he and the
government thinks is their own good. The official aim was to eventually
breed aboriginality out by progressive dilution until effectively only white
Australians remained. That is, from half-caste to quadroon to octaroon, etc.

And for those of you who may remember "Walkabout" by Nicholas Roeg, David
Gulpilil plays a main character in an almost wordless but rivetting
performance.

Literally a stunning film. Remember the tissues, too.

Cheers,

Brett

Reply via email to