Devastating exploitation classic starring Deborah-Lee Furness as a lawyer who rides into a town where the local boys constantly rape the local girls without fear of legal reprisal. Truly one of the greatest Australian movies ever made (appallingly remade in the States, by the way) and a totally obscure gem of world exploitation film-making.
Thematically, the film targets masculine attitudes towards sexual violence, racism, sexism and the ways in which aberrant behavior can be "normalized". Despite its strong thematic elements, "Shame" is never preachy or melodramatic. Writers Beverley Blankenship and Michael Brindley background the social commentary and construct a taut, emotionally riveting narrative.
Steve Jodrell's direction is never showy, but it achieves perfect harmony with its inflammatory subject. The sense of frustration experienced by Furness in her struggle to make the rapists pay for their wrongdoing is felt so strongly by the audience, the experience of watching is exhausting.
The film moves at a rapid pace, is impeccably well acted (Simone Buchanan is a standout as Lizzie), and thunders towards an emotionally explosive and nihilistic climax. It is an utterly perfect movie.
Thematically, the film targets masculine attitudes towards sexual violence, racism, sexism and the ways in which aberrant behavior can be "normalized". Despite its strong thematic elements, "Shame" is never preachy or melodramatic. Writers Beverley Blankenship and Michael Brindley background the social commentary and construct a taut, emotionally riveting narrative.
Steve Jodrell's direction is never showy, but it achieves perfect harmony with its inflammatory subject. The sense of frustration experienced by Furness in her struggle to make the rapists pay for their wrongdoing is felt so strongly by the audience, the experience of watching is exhausting.
The film moves at a rapid pace, is impeccably well acted (Simone Buchanan is a standout as Lizzie), and thunders towards an emotionally explosive and nihilistic climax. It is an utterly perfect movie.