Viewers walk out of The Nightingale premiere after rape scenes

Cinemagoers WALK OUT of bloody revenge film The Nightingale at Sydney Film Festival – after being left horrified by ultraviolent rape scenes

Horrified viewers reportedly ‘walked out’ of a screening of The Nightingale at the Sydney Film Festival on Sunday.

The majority of the sold-out audience at The Ritz in Randwick felt the historical drama went too far and left within the first 20 minutes. 

According to News.com.au, one female cinemagoer was heard screaming: ‘She’s already been raped, we don’t need to see it again!’  

Extreme cinema: Horrified viewers reportedly ‘walked out’ of a screening of The Nightingale at the Sydney Film Festival on Sunday. Pictured: Aisling Franciosi

Set in 1825, The Nightingale follows 21-year-old Irish convict Clare (Aisling Franciosi), who seeks revenge after violence is committed against her family. 

The first 20 minutes of the drama, which was directed by Jennifer Kent, includes graphic scenes of Clare being raped by several men.

While the horrific scenes prompted many people to walk out of the premiere, others found it to be compelling viewing.

Historical drama: Set in 1825, The Nightingale follows 21-year-old Irish convict Clare (Aisling Franciosi), who seeks revenge after violence is committed against her family

Historical drama: Set in 1825, The Nightingale follows 21-year-old Irish convict Clare (Aisling Franciosi), who seeks revenge after violence is committed against her family

‘The Nightingale is essential Australian viewing,’ one person wrote on Twitter. ‘Breathless. Jennifer Kent is one of our great filmmakers.’

Another tweeted: ‘The Nightingale is beautiful but brutal. Some nail-biting scenes, some had me shielding my eyes, and there was even room for comic relief. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a necessary film.’ 

In an interview with First Showing earlier this year, director Jennifer Kent revealed that production of the film was not easy.

 

 

'Essential Australian viewing': While the horrific scenes prompted many people to walk out of the premiere, others found it to be compelling viewing

‘Essential Australian viewing’: While the horrific scenes prompted many people to walk out of the premiere, others found it to be compelling viewing 

‘It really pushed me to my absolute limits as a human being. Anyone who was on that set will tell you,’ she said.

Jennifer also  took care to make sure the cast were coping with the psychological toll of filming such brutal scenes. 

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, you can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63

'It really pushed me to my absolute limits as a human being': In an interview earlier this year, director Jennifer Kent (pictured) revealed that production of the film was not easy

‘It really pushed me to my absolute limits as a human being’: In an interview earlier this year, director Jennifer Kent (pictured) revealed that production of the film was not easy 

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