Go Back Essay Flashcards
Introduction
Ivan O’Mahoney’s 2011 docu-drama, Go Back to Where You Came From”
explores the reactions of nine people to a social experiment aimed at recreating the treacherous and emotional journey undertaken by refugees.
storytelling elements of the text, the obstacles and difficulties which are experienced challenge the perceptions of the participants of themselves and others, enabling them to grow as their worldview shifts. While most begin their journey by believing the sentiments referenced by the title of the text, the understanding which is achieved challenges their own identity and builds their empathy for the experiences of others.
BODY 1 TOPIC SENTENCE
The docu-drama form allows the audience to share the obstacles and difficulties of the nine participants’ experiences in the hope of shifting our worldview as the participants’ worldview also shifts. By shifting between the experiences of the participants and the inner commentary of the participants the personal thoughts and emotions of the participants are displayed creating a story-telling element which induces similar responses from the audience.
BODY 1 CONTENT
Raye’s intitial perspective on refugees is displayed in the personal commentary using high-modal and emotive language: “I don’t care how hard it is where they come from, I don’t think they’ve got the right to come out here and demand…all this freedom”. However, when Massara is is sharing her difficult experience in Kenya close up shots of Raye shaking her head depicts the storytelling impact. the exclamatory comment “because she got no money, the baby dies! how do you live with that?” depicts her shock at the extreme conditions refugees experience for survival. the emotional rhetorical question invites the responder to reflect on their own response to the shared experience, ultimately inducing a similar emotion filled response as if they were viewing the situation vicariously
Roderick (aspiring politician) represents the flawed political ideologies which dictate notions around ‘boat people’ in Aus. he represents factions who demonise refugees through labels (‘illegal immigrant’ and ‘queue jumpers’), adding to the audiences initial rejection of their need to come to Aus. However, through the interaction with Bahati - who recounts his experience of being tortured a significal attitudinal shift is achieved. this is evidenced through Rodericks realisation that there were no ‘safe havens’ and, through his pregnant pauses and distressed facial expressions, it is clear that the situation for many refugees is not as safe as assumed and thus, greater empathy is encouraged.
BODY 2 TOPIC SENTENCE
One’s personal context and previously held values directly impacts their reactions to experiences, and the documentary deliberately includes this info about the participants as a launching point for their viewpoints and as a measure of their growth. all respondents regardless of personal context, develop and grow shifting their worldview + building empathy
BODY 2 CONTENT
Raquel’s personal context is revealed when she admits “I guess I am a bit racist…I just don’t like Africans”, Raquel also reveals “If I was in charge…I’d send them back to their country”. This confession directly links to the sentiments referenced in the title of the show “Go Back To Where You Came From”. Raquel’s personal context as a self-confessed racist influences her experience of moving in with the Massoudi family where she feels “a bit out of place” and “uncomfortable”. However, in the end of the experiment, once experiencing Kenya Raquel reveals “I think people should give people a chance before they judge a book by its cover”. This contrast in values reveals that even a self-confessed racist can grow and develop their empathy for other people and their worldview provided they experience another’s hardships, which is O’Mahoney’s central purpose.
The personal commentary revealing Darren’s context as a “former soldier in the Australian Army” represents him as a disciplined and hardened economic pragmatist, who is not as touched by the whole experience. However, even he admits, “despite my seemingly harsh response, I am emotionally affected” thus showing that all the participants’ views were altered by the difficult human experiences which they faced. Therefore, O’Mahoney communicates that personal context can be directly impacted by new experiences, resulting in some degree of new-found empathy.
BODY 3 TOPIC SENTENCE
People’s preconceived assumptions determine their outlook and, as the stereotypical views of the participants are challenged, and their worldview shifts, they are presented as being more socially and morally aware, a view aligned with O’Mahoney’s own ideology.
BODY 3 CONTENT
Adam’s previous assumptions about asylum seekers were “99.9 percent of them a, have no boat and b, have no intentions of declaring themselves”. This rigid assumption is challenged when Adam experiences the inner workings of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre and he reveals, through emotive language, the experience was “a little bit of a reality check actually…this is why they’re actually doing the things that they’re doing”. It is only when Adam experiences the reality of a refugees situation that his assumption is challenged and eventually shifted. Through his reflection on his experience, a greater sense of empathy is communicated.
Raye’s initial perspectives on refugees was displayed in a personal commentary of her revealing “I could’ve gone over there with a gun and shot the lot of them”. This shows the insensitiveness of the Aus. people which stems from media representation Yet once undergoing experiences with refugees and their family in Kenya close-up shots of Raye crying and displaying potent emotion and revealing “It’s not fair, they stay here and we go” display a contradicting worldview and perspective of refugees then was previously established. This juxtaposition reveals that by experiencing some degree of a refugee’s life, Raye’s previously held assumptions and insensitivity were challenged, consequently, resulting in an increased sense of social and moral awareness.
