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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been seen in film since the silent films in the 1920s, Often portraying the aboriginals as threatening and inferior.
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Conflict between the white settlers and indigenous people have been a popular theme in Australian film. Usually portrayed as violent animals rather than people.
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As the film industry in Australia increased and the rights of the Aboriginals increased, indigenous characters played greater roles in Australian films.
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Awareness was on the rise of the black history of Australia and what they went through, In 1985 Crocodile dundee was released and this film shows a complex view of Aboriginality and uses humor to show the sterotype 'City boy.' This was one of the most successful AUstralian films of all time.
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The Mabo Land rights case exposes the myth of 'Terra Nullius' and land rights for the indigenous people has been passed. Many documentary's were realeased, showing the lives of the natives.
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A number of indigenous films were broadcasted by SBS as a part of Unfinished Buiness: Reconciling the Nation in the year 2000. SBS is in a partnership with the ADelaide Festival and has helped produce a number of films that address indigenous issues.