Shame

From the shadow of the controversial The Accused comes Jodrell's first feature, also dealing with gang rape. Furness (excellent) plays Asta, a self-reliant barrister and biker who breaks down while travelling alone through the outback. The garage mechanic's daughter Lizzie (Buchanan) has been gang-raped by a group of local hoods, and is trapped in a 'she asked for it' conspiracy of silence. Asta takes on Lizzie's case, finding herself in a vicious battle with the sheriff and the rest of the male community. Furness handles her role with calm strength and obvious skill; and where The Accused manipulated sensation, this avoids the gratuitous voyeurism of including the rape scene. Working by allusion, it succeeds in striking exactly the right note, responsibly, movingly, and yet rivetingly.