The Motorcycle Diaries by Walter Salles and Rabbit-Proof Fence by Phillip Noyce are so similar yet so different.

The two
films depict the journey of two very dissimilar groups of people. However, there are certain parallels between the two; both
thematically and stylistically.

Each film suggests that physical journeys are initiated with the intention that an inner change or development will occur.
However the catalyst for this change is not purely the movement from one place to another, but also includes the path of the
physical journey. This pathway is shaped by the obstacles and challenges that arise, as well as the way they are overcome.

The characters in both films undertake their physical journey in an effort to escape their life and circumstances that they
were previously in, albeit for different reasons. Ernesto and Alberto in The Motorcycle Diaries took their journey to make
something of themselves and their lives; to experience the world as they did not want to end up like that with that being
an elderly man asleep on the table. They expected to change both themselves and their direction in life, as they will have a
greater appreciation of the world. In some sense, this is similar to the girls in Rabbit-Proof Fence. The girls took their
journey to return home and to their mother, so they did not have to assimilate to white culture and so they were not stripped
of their identity. While they did not take their journey simply to travel and see the world, they would change in a way that
they would have a greater awareness of the importance of family and culture. They too could have resulted with a new
direction in life.

In any physical journey, perseverance is vital to complete it. However, it can be extremely difficult to persevere without any
external encouragement. In Rabbit-Proof Fence symbolism is used to provide that message of support. There is a connection
set up between Molly and her mother through the totem bird. Molly is told He will always look after you. The totem bird
then becomes a symbol of hope, and a reminder that their mother is waiting for them. This becomes a fundamental part of
their inspiration whilst on the journey. Also the continual reference to home and mother is used to rekindle their spirits
and encourage them throughout their travel. Similarly in The Motorcycle Diaries there is also a consistent mention of
family. I have four siblingsand honestly theyre what I miss most. And also my mum This gives them an incentive to
keep going. It acts as something to hold onto and to push them forward.

These journeys in particular have covered a large distance in a lengthy period of time, however via different methods. The
Motorcycle Diaries uses many means of transport. Originally the plan was to complete the journey on the motorcycle. This
was highlighted by the close ups on the luggage as well as the parts of the motorbike, therefore emphasizing the need of the
bike for the success of their journey. However, this changes as their journey progresses through Chile, the Andes and to the
Leper colony. They travel on foot, by boat and finally by plane to complete the journey.

The girls in Rabbit-Proof Fence move from Moore River to Jigalong station solely on foot, despite the extreme conditions
and the extraordinary length. This movement is conveyed through the repeated shots displaying the girls walking or close-
ups of their feet. Another camera technique used to great effect, to display the movement of the girls, is the tracking shot.
This is where the camera moves with the subject. This effect is used many times throughout the film, particularly in the
abduction scene, which is the beginning of all journeys for the girls. The shot assists in communicating the movement of the
girls, as the responder is taken on the journey, which builds a greater understanding of the environment and the journey
itself.

While both groups of characters travel a substantial distance on foot through extremely different lands, they encounter many
similar obstacles, difficulties and new experiences. Some common obstacles faced by each party include lack of direction,
fatigue and the weather. Although these problems affect them in different ways and the composers convey the obstacles via
different techniques, the obstacles do exists and set each group back equally as far. It is important that they overcome these
challenges and hurdles in order to succeed in the physical journey.

Without sufficient knowledge of the destination and the direction in which to get there, it becomes incredibly difficult to
stay on track and to reach their goals in the shortest time possible. Both Salles and Noyce use extreme long shots and
panoramic shots not only to set up the environmental context but also to highlight the size of the area and the unfamiliarity
of the character within it. These shots show the characters as they appear to be extremely vulnerable, making it easy to lose
their way. This lack of direction prolongs and extends the physical journey and only contributes more to the fatigue and
tiredness that is suffered.

In each circumstance, the characters react differently to find a solution to the problem. Alberto and Ernesto- though they
have a map- go ahead and ask for directions as they are aware of the fact that they are lost, whereas Molly does not realise
there is more than one rabbit proof fence and is only informed and redirected by chance. However she does follow the
advice given to her and it does lead her in the right direction.

The weather becomes a concern at both extremes. In The Motorcycle Diaries the weather was quite cold and windy. This
presented problems such as; lack of clothes and shelter (after their tent blew away) as well as difficulty to maintain optimum
health. Im freezing my balls off is an example of how colloquial language is used to demonstrate the true feelings and
reactions of the characters to the weather, in a way that will assist the responder to relate to the text.

The lighting in the overnight and outdoor scenes also assisted to convey the coldness by displaying a dark and dull picture
using darker shades etc. This dark lighting combined with the dull colours is what we associate with cold weather, as
opposed to red equaling fire. This creates a greater sense of understanding for the responder and helps them to relate to the
text. In response to this, the men ask for extra clothes and shelter [Pesce] gave us clothes, food and shelter

In Rabbit-Proof Fence it is the heat that becomes the trouble. The hot weather is conveyed to the responder through a series
of camera techniques. As the girls are shown struggling to continue, the camera is put in and out of focus, emphasizing the
extreme conditions they are forced to endure. This conveys to the responder the harshness of their environment and the
circumstances the girls have to deal with. Also, the camera is faced directly into the sun. This forces the responder to be put
in a similar position to the characters and therefore creating a deeper understanding and empathy of the experiences.

To survive the extreme heat Molly uses her knowledge of the land to dig a deep hole and retract the water from there. This
is a crucial part of the process of survival, particularly in those harsh conditions.
In each physical journey fatigue becomes the main problem, and possibly the hardest to overcome. This is where their
motivation and inspiration played a vital role in the completion of their journey. In The Motorcycle Diaries humour is used
to convey the fatigue within the character. While the men are walking through the mountains, Alberto collapses and says
this is not humanly possible at that moment an indigenous person walks past him carrying a load. These two images are
juxtaposed showing how tiring their physical journey is in relation to others.

A further demonstration of fatigue does not come from the men themselves but rather the bike they were traveling on. This
was conveyed to the responder through both symbolism and sound. The particular scene is of the bike at dusk, moving from
left to right of the frame, while we hear spluttering sounds coming from the bike. This highlights how the bike is struggling
and slowing as the sounds are associated with fatigue. Also the scene occurred at dusk which is symbolic of the end of a day
and the end of a chapter of a journey.

These sounds from the bike can be directly linked with the sounds of heavy breathing from the girls in Rabbit-Proof Fence.
This also shows how they are tiring and the physical impact of the journey. In addition, there are many close ups of their
feet. This implies fatigue and highlights the hardship of the physical journey.

Together from The Motorcycle Diaries by Walter Salles and Rabbit-Proof Fence by Phillip Noyce, we learn about the nature
of physical journeys. We learn that motivation is vital for both the beginning of the journey and the perseverance to
complete it. We learn that physical journeys can change a persons emotional and intellectual status, as well as their
understanding of the world. Through the movement of the journey, combined with the challenges they face and the ways in
which they respond to them, their personal growth and development is extended and they become a far worldlier person.
The Motorcycle Diaries and Rabbit-Proof Fence show us that yes, physical journeys are hard, tiring and sometimes
monotonous, but there is always something positive that will result from them.