Shame

Asta Cadell's motorbike breaks down in the remote outback of Western Australia. With replacement parts unavailable, she travels to the small town of Ginborak to await a repair. The setback sets the stage for a clash between her independence and the town's norms.

Upon arrival, Cadell is subjected to catcalls and sexually suggestive comments from local men. The town's sergeant Wal Cuddy dismisses her concerns and warns her not to stay too long. Her arrival signals the beginning of a charged clash between her independence and Ginborak's culture.

Cadell goes to Tim Curtis's workshop to fix her bike, where the apprentice initially doubts her but eventually lets her borrow tools. Tim offers Cadell a place to stay in his guest house while parts arrive, politely declining money. Norma, Tim's mother, arranges a room and sets the scene for further interactions.

That night Tim's wife returns with Lizzie, who appears visibly shaken. Curtis and his wife argue and then venture outside; Lizzie runs off crying into the night. Cadell finds and comforts the distressed girl, forming a protective bond.

Cadell's assertive personality brings her into conflict with the meat processing factory owner and with a ruthless group of local youths who have gang raped several girls. When they threaten her, she defends herself and injures some of the boys. The confrontation exposes the town's tolerance for abuse and Cadell's willingness to challenge it.

Cadell complains to Sergeant Wal Cuddy, who dismisses the youths as simply having fun and threatens an assault charge against her. She reveals she is a barrister, refusing to be intimidated. She begins speaking more openly in public and private about the town's scandalous affairs.

Encouraged by Cadell, Lizzie gains courage and starts stepping away from her fearful routine. She begins to confront her own father about his denial of what has happened under his nose. Lizzie's growing resolve marks a shift in the town's power dynamics.

The women of Ginborak unite to stand up against the rapists and press charges, with Cadell and Lizzie at the forefront. Their campaign challenges long held complicity and mobilizes the community to demand accountability. The process intensifies the clash between reformers and those protecting the status quo.

The backlash intensifies as the youths and their supporters target Cadell and Lizzie's households. The town's surface civility gives way to violent retaliation against those seeking justice. The conflict moves from the courtroom to the doorstep of the Curtis home.

Lizzie hides in the police station while the drunken lads attack the Curtis household. Two boys locate her, abduct her in a car, and she is killed after being thrown onto the road. The town is left reeling as the violence exposes the deadly costs of its willful ignorance.

In the aftermath, Ginborak falls silent as Lizzie's body is placed in the back of a truck. Cadell and Lizzie’s supporters mourn the tragedy and confront the limits of justice in an isolated town. The scene underscores the price paid for challenging entrenched power.

Cadell's courage and the community's efforts leave a lasting, though somber, impact on Ginborak. The final moments reflect on reform, accountability, and the heavy toll of seeking justice where it is scarce. The town's future remains uncertain, shaped by what has been unleashed.