Film review by Phoebe Lee
NEW Australian film, Blame, centres around a high school music teacher, Bernard (Damian de Montemas), who is suddenly attacked in his home by five young mates who are keen on revenge following the suicide of their friend Alice (Saskia Hampele).
The film, set in isolated bush land in Roleystone, Perth, appears to begin with an ending as Bernard is blindfolded, tied to a chair and force fed sleeping pills. A fake suicide note is constructed and he is positioned in the bedroom and left for dead.
Unfortunately though, the perfect murder begins to unravel when the plan does not go as it should and immediately a thousand questions are raised around what led these five young friends to stage a man’s suicide.
Facing a botched murder attempt and the grief of losing Alice – their friend, sister and girlfriend – the truth begins to unravel from the tight knit web of lies and deceit caught among the group.
As a low-budget Australian film, director Michael Henry has done an excellent job in building suspense and intrigue throughout and still finds a way to make you laugh at times.
From the outset the engaging story-line urges you to question the personal motive behind each of the five group members and what truth Bernard may be hiding. Blame exposes the sometimes unseen relationship and social dynamics between friends and the lengths some will go to when their only thought is for themselves.
The film was shown by the London Australian Film Society (LAFS), based at their new venue, Shortwave Cinema in Bermondsey Square, London.
While LAFS initially began in the 1970s and ran films and documentaries from Australia House for 38 years, the society re-launched on Australia Day 2012 and is once again giving support and gaining recognition for Australian films and documentaries. Be sure to find the London Australian Film Society on Facebook to stay updated on their future screenings.