Blackrock

The creators of this feature chose to slide down a slippery slope where elements were cherry picked from a well known tragedy (they went to some lengths to reinforce the connection), yet a number of key facts were reimagined so the film could see the light of day. So the disclaimer that any resemblance to real life events was merely coincidence is an outright lie.

What we have is a watchable screenplay that would otherwise serve as a passable exploration of morality, teenage angst, peer pressure, mateship and misogyny.

Had the movie delved more into the police incompetence, failure to arrest perpetrators of gang rape and the real extent to which the victim's reputation was falsified and trashed, therein lies a far more powerful narrative.

And on reflection, the extended surfing sequences go to a film that never quite knew what it wanted to be. It was an opportunity lost to produce something that would have been ahead of its time and warranted more serious reflection.

I bought this film on DVD for 1 UK pound and have watched it over and over again a great story handled with care and told from no one in particulars point of view. OK so its not going to win any Oscars for having the biggest budget but i cant recommend this enough a truly under rated piece of Aussie cinema. If your looking for something different rent it or buy it i imagine you can pick it up cheap enough anywhere in the free world.

A lot of great photography and beautiful Australian scenery great direction great script.

also a ton of great music (austrailia and new Zealand have the best undiscovered bands music scenes and movies)

What would you do if you witnessed some of your friends committing a terrible crime? What would you do if you saw a friend of yours being gang raped? Would you have sat there and watched?. Horrified but able to do nothing. Or would you have helped? This is the dilemma faced by Jared played by Laurence Breuls. This gritty Australian drama explores not only Jared's reactions and feelings about this crime but all of the victim's friends feelings as well. Jared is shattered by the fact that he did not help his friend Leigh when she needed him and even more horrified to find out that his best mate Ricko finished off the job - raping Leigh yet again and then killing her. This movie details how each friend came to grips with this tragic but too often everyday crime.

As a lover of Aussie films ( and being one myself ) I found this to be entertaining and not a little disturbing.

On the flip side though, I've got to say I really am not a Lawrence Breuls fan. He's got no screen presence whatsoever and is pretty much the low point throughout the movie.

Good to see David Field, Leeanna Walsman. Rebecca Smart snd Simon Lyndon doing justice to their roles.

Linda Cropper plays a good role as Jared's mum. I'm wondering if Jared's interest in Ricko was totally best buddy or if he had the old pillow biting urge. Whatever. He's just a gutless knob.

On the topic of what would I do if I witnessed a gang rape of a friend, would I do anything to stop it?

You bet I would, and I wouldn't be giving no murderer a send off on a surf board.

The subject matter is completely galling, that of a mass rape and subsequent murder of a teenage girl. This movie's strength however should not be underestimated. It doesn't really attempt to moralise or provide answers, it simply examines the interactions of the teenagers affected by the tragedy. Great acting from a young cast, I have to disagree with dita-3 suggesting that the characters don't develop. The main problem that today's youth faces worldwide is the fact that they are increasingly apathetic and lack true ambition. This movie sets out to make you think, and is overlaid with a churning grungey soundtrack throbbing it's way through. A lovely poignant moment with the Cranberries "No Need To Argue" playing, but the film never dips into sentimentality. Hollywood would have liked to pour a healthy dose of treacle over the ending, thank goodness they never had the chance to do so. I cannot recommended this film highly enough