Indigenous culture is a unique piece of Australian history. In recent years, indigenous film is rapidly developing, as a culture carrier, indigenous film better to introduce the indigenous culture, customs, and the history. Different form the other Australian film, indigenous film pay more attention to that special historical period and their situation at that time, rather than some social problems like violence, drugs. This special history is a valuable asset, therefore indigenous should get more support.
In fact, since the previous policy, the development of Indigenous film has been disadvantaged. Racial assimilation and the White Australia policy has severely limited the development of Indigenous culture within Australia. Just as the movie Rabbit Proof Fence (Phillip Noyce, 2002) shows that the Australian government created a ‘stolen generation’ in decades past and let White people raise them to thereby gradually eliminate and replace their original culture, to achieve the purpose of racial assimilation. Because of this racist history, the Indigenous culture is damaged, also caused the late development of their film industry.
‘Filmic representations of Aboriginal identity are influenced by sociocultural variables, historical factors, and dominant discourses. Australian films, located within the specific culture of “mainstream” Australia, have expressed and supported the evident social organization through its dominant discourses’ [Suneeti Rekhari 2008 ]. In the past, dominant discourse had no place for Indigenous representations, ‘Aboriginal people, as part of this dynamism, have unfortunately not been given the chance to display such manifest changes within their own identify representations’ [Suneeti Rekhari 2008] . Australian society has been dominated by white culture, therefore the indigenous film industry has been hampered in the past. From the development trend in recent years, there is a much broader market for Indigenous film. In fact, Indigenous film indeed achieved good results, many works were well received and gained professional recognition, like Rabbit-Proof Fence, Samson & Delilah , Bran Nue Dae and so on. In addition to that, Australian Indigenous Film Festival is also being held in many countries and regions. For example, last year, the Australian Indigenous film festival was held in Beijing, showing the shift of Indigenous content as only a local market to an international one.
Australia’s small resident population of only about 22 million, means Australia can not get a huge support for the local market like some more populous countries can, such as China and India.
There is a high degree of market-oriented Australian Film. The Government has film and television management agencies, in order to encourage the prosperity of local film and television culture. The Film and Television Authority is an independent body with its own board of directors. For example, in Victoria, the staff of film and television Authority is around 40, which is mainly responsible for the loan fund to the state filmmakers and attracts foreigners to shoot films in the state in the form of tax cuts. It is also responsible for organising a number of film festivals or training activities, in order to encourage film culture. Federal Film and Television Board will allocate about 20 million Australian dollars to the states film and television Council each year, to support the local film industry.
At present, in order to reflect the local culture, the Australian government carries out activities related to the Australian Indigenous Culture, for instance they shot a micro film to promote Indigenous culture, it’s good for the development of tourism, also they support Indigenous film industry. In order to improve the situation of the Indigenous film industry, Australia has established some preferential policies. First of all, Australian government has increased funding for the Indigenous film and encourage people to promote its Indigenous culture. But this kind of film production is extremely low, so increased funding is not enough. Then the Australian government released some new policies to attract foreign capital and production projects. All the film projects which involved or directly reflect the Indigenous conditions and customs, will get the Australian government tax breaks. Australian film companies can get up to 40% of the tax return. In addition to that, if film projects do not involve Australian culture, but in Australia the post-production or filming or filming occurs so long as to meet the corresponding conditions, it can be obtained 16.5% to 30% of the tax return as well.
Australian filmmakers also hope that Australian film can move into the international stage, to meet the tastes of overseas audiences. One of the most successful film is Australia (Baz Luhrmann, 2008), Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman are Australian actors, but they are very famous in America and other regions. They starred in the film about the Indigenous culture, this combination is very novel and attractive, therefore the film is indeed a great success. At the same time, Australia has also utilised famous Hollywood actors, in order to increase the influence of Australia and to attract foreign capital and projects.
Most movies do not make money in Australia, mainly dependent on government funding. For example in Victoria, there are about more than 60 individuals film studio with only 1 or 2 people, independent producers can get $500,000 per unit or 10% of the financing costs of the entire film. In addition to the government for funding, but also in the form of tax breaks to encourage private investment in the film. Also Film Board will provide loans to screenwriters, to encourage them to write the film, television and documentary screenplay. In Victoria, a common feature film screenplay will receive 20,000 to 30,000 Australian dollars of funding, documentaries have 10,000 to $20,000 in funding. In addition, the Authority will finance some film and television directors, let them take work to the international competition , to expand the influence of Australian film.
Although the Australian government actively seeking overseas markets and investment, but it also brings some problems. For example, American companies filming and post-production in Australia, hire local technicians, increase local employment help to promote economic development. However, it attracts filmmakers and audience pay more attention to Hollywood, gradually losing focus on local themes and cultural traditions. The local film industry is virtually marginalized, especially Indigenous film, they will be subjected to greater market competitiveness. How to help enhance the competitiveness of indigenous movie has become an important issue faced by Australian government. Although the Australian government has begun to attach importance to Indigenous movies, but in fact, the government’s funding and support of indigenous films is not enough compared to other areas. Government’s policy and support is very important to the development of the film industry. Therefore, Australian government should provide more funding and opportunities for indigenous film, to encourage people to film more Indigenous content.