When they were all out to dinner the night before the fishing trip, Rocco's girlfriend, the teacher, briefly left the table and went over to another table. Were the 2 men at that table aborigines? I thought I recognized them later in the movie during the funeral. Also, was the teacher part aboriginal?
Yes, yes and yes. Good catch. At first I wondered about her greeting them, but it became clear as the movie went on that she was connected to the men. It took a second viewing to catch some of the subtle points like that in this film. I do believe Carmel is aborigine.
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Yes and if you watch the bonus materials these guys were up on the ceremonial practices enacted at the end o the film to allow Susan's Spirit to shine on.
Recommended Book: DEEP CINEMA
Carmel was aboriginal, she refers to it in a number of ways throughout the film (also, the actor is Indigenous).
The scene in the restaurant is important because it shows a separation between the white residents, and the aboriginal men, the fact that Carmel leaves the table and greets them shows that she is both aboriginal, but also the only link between her social circle and the aboriginal community.
I think she's half-cast, but she's definitely aboriginal. Stewart gets his nose broken because he says "your people (Aborigines) are so superstitious".. - Whap! Rocco breaks his face... And rightfully so. His girlfriend, Carmel, is of aboriginal descent.
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