I can't help but think it is significant that these events take place at the start of the 20th century. While still essentially Victorian in setting and sensibility, it seems that the "turn of the century" would represent a symbolic opportunity to fall into some kind of time warp, in the space between the end of one era and the start of another.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
Very possible and I have to admit, I hadn't given much thought to the year of the occurance. I guess it's just another red herring thrown into the mix, this film is full of them. It's sublime, easily the best film i've ever seen.
shareConsidering Joan Lindsay's original ending, that would've been right in tune with what she wanted for the story. "Picnic at Hanging Rock" could almost be seen as a series of cryptic symbols and signs, all of them essentially meaning nothing, or, rather, all amounting to no clear resolution---Victorians were notorious for sign-searching, since they were heavily influenced by religious mysticism, noveau art movements and gothic romanticism. Lyndsay couldn't help but borrow a little of that old-world magic, in order to give her story the feeling of timeless mystery and myth.
Imagine we are Victorians; while watching "Picnic at Hanging Rock", we'd likely assign gravity to each symbol, religious or romantic, simply because it is presented as so---i.e., we know it's (the story) important because it tells us it is (through performances, musical accompaniment and visual atmospherics). Mysticism requires ambiguity, feeling--trust in its significance, despite what logic may tell us. Until the 19-teens and 1920's, worldwide, the majority of women and girls of all classes maneuvered through an abstract intellectual world, where only pieces of knowledge were made available to them. Putting the greater puzzle together required strong creativity or a socially disruptive personality. Even successful scientists and academics were excluded from certain circles and had limited access to information. Only the least conventional and most aggressive women could break through such restrictions.
Victorian perspective: Girls go missing and never return = they went wild, were whisked away by native men (because, from their perspective, everyone wanted to sexually possess their daughters; this was during a time of Darwin, Galton, breeding theories and British imperialism) or fell to their deaths, only to be carried off to Heaven by angels because of their youthful purity. 2009 perspective = Dreamy, protected girls either fell from a ledge and died/were injured because they weren't properly clothed/prepared for the trip or they were abducted and abused.
fall into some kind of time warp because it's the turn of the century ?
yes i think thats exactly what happened .. i think this because on New Year's Day 2000 my cousin disappeared for 5 years then he returned .. he said he went through the "Turn Of The Century" time warp and he travelled back in time and also he went to different dimensions ...
smurdock: Are they planning to make a movie about your cousin's little adventure as well?
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
he is in discussions with two prominent studios .. his experience will be turned into a major motion picture ... it's just a matter of which studio comes up with the best package ....
shareI can tell you right now that he didn't travel back in time and go to different dimensions.
shareYes, it is definitely significant. In 1900, Queen Victoria's reign was nearly at a close, and with it Ms. Appleyard's era of corsets and sheltered female minds.
At the earliest dawn of a new age, these girls (and their most intellectually curious teacher) stray away, take off their stockings, and go out to experience the world they have been forbidden. They don't come back: there is no coming back from a more free existence.
Responding to my own comment, actually Irma does come back, and is blamed by the other girls for having been seduced by the rock--a Victorian response, similar to Ms. Appleyard's later comment about the teacher: "How COULD she go up on the rock to be raped and murdered?"
When we see Irma again at the school, she is dressed in red (symbolic throughout the movie as the color of "awakening" as opposed to virginal white). Compared to the other girls in this scene, she is a woman whereas they are still children. She is no longer part of their world, on the verge of being whisked off to Europe--a more enlightened, free-thinking place as represented by the French teacher.
"Seduced by the rock" -- excellent choice of words. It could be the title of a Burne-Jones painting.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
In point of fact 1900 was the last year of the 19th century. A cnetury always runs fro 1 to 100.
shareGood point about it being the end of the century. That does indicate its symbolic significance as being the end of one time and the beginning of another.
shareI can only say that I am not sure that it has symbolic significance as far as this movie is concerned. There seems to be doubt whether these events took place or, as I suspect, are simply fictional.
shareThis is an interesting question; the whole date, February 14th 1900, is significant in a number of ways.
Firstly, February 14th was significant to Joan Lindsay, the author, as it was her own wedding anniversary date (February 14th, 1922).
Secondly, the year 1900 in Australia was significant to all Australians, white and indigenous, as it signaled the end of the Colonial Era; on January 1st 1901, the separate Colonies of Australia combined under the Act of Federation to become the Commonwealth of Australia as it known today. The year 1900 may have held some significance to the Aborigines who held on to the 'magic' and traditions of their people, and saw Federation as the final act in the loss of their country to European settlers, who were now fully-fledged Australians.
Commentaries by Joan Lindsay about the book indicated her fascination with a juxtaposition between the settlers of this new industrialized country and the 'magic' and stories of the land and it's people; the idea of these European, upper-class girls being 'lost' to the ever-powerful forces of a foreboding rock, is a symbol of the idea that Nature, and those that respect it, will always overcome.
I seek not to make this a commentary on racism and 'stolen land', as my own ancestors were the white settlers of this country who came here from a plague-ravaged Ireland more than 150 years ago. My interpretation of the message is this; tread lightly on this land and respect those that came before you. whoever they may be, or be 'lost' to indifference and ignorance.
^ Yeah this. I was surprised no-one else had considered the matter of looming federation. The final, successful referendum was held barely six months before the events of the film.
The notion of these being the dying days of a certain era, rather than the dawn of a new one (the 1900's - not even strictly the twentieth century) is rather haunting in itself.
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I suppose on a clear day you can see the class struggle from here.
Gaseous Discharge - many thanks for your note: I have just returned from visiting Vancouver. The point about the Federation of Australia had escaped my attention I must admit but I am glad you made this point.
shareyes, that does make sense.
today's special: shrimp ceviche!
Hello Shyguy 1984 - I have just seen your note as I have been in Canada for the past two weeks. I live in England but have been to Australia and find your remarks very interesting; many thanks.
shareThere are very interesting comments on this thread.
As I think the movie still works very well for those who know very little about Australia (like myself), I'd say that time and the transition between two eras -one of repression, the other of more liberty - is a very strong subject on the movie. And also the power of Nature, as opposed to the knowledge of men.
Aussies help me out... but I think Australia confederated in 1901 which could be seen as a basis for the modern state.
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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!