Go Back to Where You Came from Documentary Analysis
Finding Safe Refuge
English Task 1
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English Task 1
There are many different views about refugees in Australian society, where illegal boat people and over flowing detention centres are a controversial problem today. Go Back To Where You Came From is a documentary directed by Ivan O’Mahoney about a social experiment that challenges the dominant views of six Australians about refugees and asylum seekers. These six Australians are taken on a 25 day journey where they are placed into the troubled “worlds” of refugees. For a few of the Australians it is their first time overseas but, for all of them it is the most challenging and confronting experience of their lives. This essay will discuss the codes and conventions used in this documentary to position and challenge the cultural assumptions and beliefs of the viewer.
One of the main techniques used in the documentary was to present the stories of the six Australians using a “reality TV” format. The camera was an observer of the reactions and raw emotions showed from the Australians as they experienced first-hand the troubles of many refugees. We see this clearly this when they are on the asylum seeker boat. A heated argument broke out between Raye and Raquel, stress levels were high and panic rose when the boat started to sink. Through this technique characterisation is developed and we follow the changes in the six Australians’ views and attitudes as they live with and get to know refugees in Australia, Malaysia, Africa, Jordan and Iraq. For example, in the beginning of the documentary Raquel states, “I guess I am a bit racist, I just don’t like black people.” However, by the end of the first episode Raquel reaches out and comforts Maisara, from the Congo, “You’re a lovely lady. You don’t deserve this.” During her time in the refugee camp in Kenya we see further changes in Raquel. She states that she will no longer use the term “black people” instead she will say
English Task 1
[Type the author name]
[Type the company name]
English Task 1
There are many different views about refugees in Australian society, where illegal boat people and over flowing detention centres are a controversial problem today. Go Back To Where You Came From is a documentary directed by Ivan O’Mahoney about a social experiment that challenges the dominant views of six Australians about refugees and asylum seekers. These six Australians are taken on a 25 day journey where they are placed into the troubled “worlds” of refugees. For a few of the Australians it is their first time overseas but, for all of them it is the most challenging and confronting experience of their lives. This essay will discuss the codes and conventions used in this documentary to position and challenge the cultural assumptions and beliefs of the viewer.
One of the main techniques used in the documentary was to present the stories of the six Australians using a “reality TV” format. The camera was an observer of the reactions and raw emotions showed from the Australians as they experienced first-hand the troubles of many refugees. We see this clearly this when they are on the asylum seeker boat. A heated argument broke out between Raye and Raquel, stress levels were high and panic rose when the boat started to sink. Through this technique characterisation is developed and we follow the changes in the six Australians’ views and attitudes as they live with and get to know refugees in Australia, Malaysia, Africa, Jordan and Iraq. For example, in the beginning of the documentary Raquel states, “I guess I am a bit racist, I just don’t like black people.” However, by the end of the first episode Raquel reaches out and comforts Maisara, from the Congo, “You’re a lovely lady. You don’t deserve this.” During her time in the refugee camp in Kenya we see further changes in Raquel. She states that she will no longer use the term “black people” instead she will say