Rialto Distribution have announced today that the documentary feature film THE LIE will be released theatrically in New Zealand cinemas on April 25. THE LIE is a true crime documentary that explores the shocking murder of 21-year-old British backpacker Grace Millane in 2018.
An unwavering victim-centred look at how one shocking murder case highlights the threat that women face in their day-to-day lives, THE LIE confronts the harmful attitudes about violence towards women that continue to permeate society. In addition to first-hand accounts from key participants and witnesses, the film makes extensive use of chilling CCTV recordings previously unseen, chronicling the perpetrator’s movements and disturbing police interview footage in which he unleashes a litany of lies.
Acclaimed director Helena Coan (Audrey, Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story) dove unflinchingly into The Lie, examining and exploring the regressive societal attitudes regarding male violence toward women, and our collective responsibility to identify and call out abusive behaviour. Coan’s initial thought was for the Millane family, and she comments, “One of the first things I did was to write to Grace’s mum to ask for her blessing to make the film, and she gave me her blessing.”
The creation of The Lie was important to Coan. “I just wanted to show the step-by-step act of how this can happen. It was all about making it immersive and uncomfortable and unflinching. I wanted to make a film that stays with the viewer long after they’ve watched it… This film is very sad, but if this film could save one person’s life or make one man look at his behaviour or help someone get out of an abusive relationship, then it’s worth doing.”
Producers Matthew Metcalfe and Tom Blackwell of GFC Films were struck by the impact the case had had on Detective Inspector Scott Beard, who was in charge of the case and its public face. Blackwell comments, “With a lot of hardened detectives, there’s often one case that is indelible or has stayed with them. Even those that have seen horrible things, there’s usually one that they carry along with them, and it appeared pretty early on that that was the Grace Millane case for him.”
Metcalfe and Blackwell were highly aware of the sensitive nature of the film but felt it was crucial to bring to the screen. “We discussed at length the importance of bringing the spotlight on this issue of violence against women and believe that something of value could be expressed with a film about the case,” comments Metcalfe.
The Lie will be released in New Zealand cinemas nationwide on April 25, 2024.
