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Cast: Nathan Wilson, Martin Sacks
Rise is a true story about a young nurse falsely accused of rape. Stripped of his career and his freedom, Will is forced to survive maximum security jail. The film centers on an unlikely friendship formed with Jimmy, a hardened armed robber and the legal battle by a prominent lawyer who must compromise status and wage to prove his innocence.
"Rise" tells the story of Mack Lindon who was sentenced to six years in a maximum security prison for the spike-drinking and rape of a 21-year-old woman. Lindon pled not guilty to the charges but was sentenced anyway because the young lady lied. After 19 months in prison, Mack was given another chance to prove his innocence. In 2011, the Supreme Court of Victoria overturned his conviction on appeal after one week of a retrial, setting Lindon free.
"Rise" is an amazing film about a young man whose life is turned upside down after a one night stand with a young lady who obviously didn't have an ounce of humanity in her. What makes the film so realistic and powerful is that it is told by the man himself, Writer/Director, Mack Lindon. What a talented guy, I am not sure what inspired him to become a director and writer but I can guess wanting to tell his story had a lot to do with it. Lindon is as much an inspiration as "Rise" is as well.
As a young man who had never been in trouble before let alone in jail I can only imagine how hard it was and frightening it was for him. But the thing I liked the most about him was that the 19 months he served never once changed him, instead he made an influence on others and even changed a few.
"Rise" is the kind of film that will have you laughing at times and crying at times as well, it also inspires and it makes you feel good knowing that there is justice in a world full of injustice. Rape is a serious and horrible crime but so is lying about it and taking away someone's life over it. I enjoyed Mack Lindon's story and I was left with a smile on my face, obviously done on a low budget in Australia but everything about the movie is well done including the cinematography and sound. Lindon does a fantastic job directing his first feature film and the entire cast did a great job playing their characters including, Australian award-winner Martin Sacks (Blue Heelers, Love in Limbo), Marty Rhone (Happy Melancholy, The Masque of the Red Death) and Erin Connor (The Suicide Theory, Long Shadows), and introduces Nathan Williams, who portrays the real Mack Lindon in the film. Mack Lindon also plays one of his fellow in-mates in the film.
"Rise" is on DVD and VOD now, you can order the DVD HERE.
I highly recommend this thought-provoking and inspirational tale to anyone that likes a good prison drama.
Released by Vision Films
**** Out Of *****