Blame (2010 film)

Blame
Blame
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Henry
Written by	Michael Henry
Produced by	Ryan Hodgson; Melissa Kelly; Michael Robinson
Starring	Damian De Montemas; Sophie Lowe; Kestie Morassi; Simon Stone; Ashley Zukerman
Cinematography	Torstein Dyrting
Edited by	Meredith Watson Jeffrey
Music by	Tamil Rogeon
Production; companies	3monkeyfilms; Factor 30 Films
Release dates	30 July 2010 (Melbourne Festival); 16 June 2011 (Australia);
Running time	89 minutes
Country	Australia
Language	English

Blame is a 2010 Australian thriller drama film starring Damian De Montemas, Sophie Lowe, Kestie Morassi, Ashley Zukerman, Simon Stone and Mark Leonard Winter. It was directed by first time feature film director, Michael Henry.^[1]^[2] The film had a limited release in Australia on 16 June 2011.

Plot

A group of young vigilantes seeking revenge for a sexual betrayal fall far from grace. When the truth is out, they find themselves on the dark side of justice.

It becomes a case study in how people handle themselves in a situation that goes awry. It's an essay in the consequences of ill-considered actions and how people manage themselves in a space they're entirely ill-equipped to handle.
— Michael Henry

Music teacher Bernard (Damian De Montemas) is attacked at his home in isolated bushland by five young people masked and dressed in black. The group have just attended the funeral of Cate's (Kestie Morassi) sister Alice (Saskia Hampele), and they've come to kill Bernard, whom they blame for the girl's death as he had an affair with her when she was sixteen, and now, three years later she's taken her own life. Alice's boyfriend, Nick (Simon Stone), is the lead agitator; Alice's best friend, Natalie (Sophie Lowe), has persuaded her boyfriend, Anthony (Ashley Zukerman), to steal sleeping pills from his father's doctors surgery to make it look as though Bernard has committed suicide. It all however goes horribly wrong when their attempt fails and their victim fights for his life.

In the aftermath, questions are raised about the true nature of the events leading up to the botched attack. As lies and secrets are revealed, the dynamic of the once-tight group shifts as the friends begin to question each other's motives. As they move closer to the truth, the weight of their quest for justice drives them to a place of no return.

Cast

Damian De Montemas as Bernard
Sophie Lowe as Natalie
Kestie Morassi as Cate
Ashley Zukerman as Anthony
Simon Stone as Nick
Mark Leonard Winter as John

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 58% based on 12 reviews, with an average rating of 5.47/10.^[3] The film was screened and received accolades at Cannes Cinephiles, Melbourne International Film Festival, the 35th Toronto International Film Festival,^[4] the 47th Chicago International Film Festival,^[5] the Dublin International Film Festival and Buenos Aires International Film Festival of Independent Cinema.

Accolades

Award	Category	Subject	Result
ASE Award	Best Editing in a Feature Film	Meredith Watson Jeffrey	Nominated
Chicago International Film Festival	Honorable Mention - International Film Poster Competition	The Penguin Empire	Won
Fancine Film Festival	Best Film Youth Jury	Michael Henry	Won
		Ryan Hodgson	Won
		Melissa Kelly	Won
		Michael Ormond Robinson	Won
West Australian Screen Awards	Best Drama Production	Ryan Hodgson	Nominated
		Melissa Kelly	Nominated
		Michael Ormond Robinson	Nominated
	Best Cinematography	Torstein Dyrting	Won
	Best Editing	Meredith Watson Jeffrey	Nominated

Filming locations

Filming occurred in the outer southeastern Perth suburb of Roleystone.

References

^ Paatsch, Leigh (16 June 2011). "Film review: Aussie thriller Blame". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
^ Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 65. ISBN 978-1908215017.
^ "Blame (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
^ Bannister, Brooke (9 June 2011). "Perth Hills is the setting for new Australian film 'Blame'". 720 ABC Perth. ABC Local Radio. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
^ "Perth film Blame premieres following strong international and national response". Ausfilm. 8 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.

External links

Official website
Blame at IMDb

[1] Paatsch, Leigh (16 June 2011). "Film review: Aussie thriller Blame". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.

[2] Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 65. ISBN 978-1908215017.

[3] "Blame (2010)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2020.

[4] Bannister, Brooke (9 June 2011). "Perth Hills is the setting for new Australian film 'Blame'". 720 ABC Perth. ABC Local Radio. Retrieved 28 June 2011.

[5] "Perth film Blame premieres following strong international and national response". Ausfilm. 8 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]