Utopia

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Audience Member There are parallels here in the U.S. to what is is and has happened in Australia: mass incarceration of blacks, a minority labeled as rapists, and native lands taken for the benefit of oil or mining corporations. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member John Pilger's dissection of the modern status of Indigenous Australians in the "post-apology" world can be preachy at times, and doesn't really offer an answer to go with all of the criticism, but you'd be blind to not receive the message that this documentary is spreading. The Indigenous population of Australia was all but decimated when European settlers (mostly from Great Britain), and in the years since have suffered from massacres, genocide attempts, stolen generations and a political status as non persons. The issue came to life during the first John Howard ministry in the late 90's and early 00's, and a formal apology was administered by Howard's predecessor Kevin Rudd. However, social issues abound within the Indigenous community to this very day, and government responses come under nearly constant criticism. This movie highlights the criticism, canvassing views from Indigenous community elders, as well as prominent politicians such as Rudd, Warren Snowden, Mal Brough, and, in archive footage, Howard and Gina Rineheart. As an interviewer, Pilger wears his heart on his sleeve, with his own personal opinion as obvious as any of Michael Moore's. But, the enthusiasm for the topic is infectious, and as a viewer, you go away doubting Australia's self-proclaimed title of "The Lucky Country" is anything but a bald faced lie. 8/10. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member I can't believe this is Australia in 2012 and we still treat Aboriginal people less than human - it's disgusting. I'm glad there have been more programs implemented in cultural awareness. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member A shocking expose of the way Aboriginal people have been (and still are) treated in Australia. Everyone should watch this. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Passionate and well meaning, but sadly inconsistent. At its best powerful and important, but at other times muddled to the point of sounding conspiracist. Unfortunately this gives detractors, and Pilger has plenty, all they need to ignore or shout down issues that have to be addressed and resolved. Not a film likely to covert many people, but however flawed it will hopefully raise some awareness and leads to more intelligent questions. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Once again Pilger returns to the theme he will probably and unfortunately never be able to leave behind, how one of the richest countries on earth can have its indigenous people living in such appalling conditions. But his approach of standing in front of people and asking them the questions 99.9% of journalists seem to not want to ask will never become tired. In this film he has uncovered that the entire Intervention was based on another of John Howard's lies, a direct lie contradicted by investigations AND the police. You will need a strong stomach as the film does actually contain footage of people dying in police custody. Pilger is a National treasure even if I doubt he will ever be offered (or accept) a knighthood. Compulsory viewing if you live in The Lucky Country. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Utopia

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