Shame (1988)

Information

Siskoid
1988's Shame is a cool little Australian thriller in which a badass stranger rides into a small town terrorized by bullies and rapists, with a corrupt sheriff type unwilling to stop them, has their vehicle break down - the heroic stranger is forced to stay just long enough to get involved and inspire the population to fight back. It sounds familiar, but by casting a woman in that role, it refreshes everything, even 25 years on. Deborra-Lee Furness plays a biker chick/attorney who can take care of herself in a fight and ends up helping a young girl who is only one of many on a long list of silent victims. You think it's going to end up in court in the third act, but naw, this has more in common with The Cars That Ate Paris (to name another underseen Australian flick) than any kind of issue-of-the-week TV movie. The story is extreme, but not so extreme as to release us from responsibility - the shame is ours, as a society, even today maintaining systemic access to rape for privileged bully boys. #MeToo this thing into prominence. If nothing else, Furness is terrific as the offbeat heroine whose past is only hinted at. 1 year 9 months ago