# Don't Tell (2017 film)

Don't Tell is a May 2017 Australian drama film directed by Tori Garrett and starring Jack Thompson, Aden Young and Sara West. It was based on the 2017 novel of the same name by solicitor Stephen Roche.
The basis of the film has been paralleled with the film Spotlight, based on the Boston systematic child sexual abuse by a religious institution. The Missy Higgins song "Torchlight" was composed for the film.

## Plot synopsis

Don't Tell is based on the true story of Lyndal, a young woman who had been sexually abused at a prestigious private school and, with the help of a determined lawyer, sued the powerful church that denied her abuse for ten years.

## Cast

* Jack Thompson as Bob Myers, trial counsel
* Sara West as Lyndal, victim
* Aden Young as Stephen Roche, solicitor
* Rachel Griffiths as Joy Conolly, psychologist
* Jacqueline McKenzie as Jean Dalton, counsellor
* Susie Porter as Sue, mother of Lyndal
* Gyton Grantley as Kevin Guy, offender
* Robert Coleby as John Bowers
* Martin Sacks as Tony, father of Lyndal
* Robert Taylor as Robert Brewster, school council chairman

## Background

A school boardermaster of a Toowoomba private school was criminally charged in November 1990 with sexual offences involving children. He committed suicide on the day of a court appearance. In the subsequent 2001 civil court case S v Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane [2001] QSC 473, the offending behaviours were accepted by the defendant, and a suicide note not tended, which included the name of the subject victim of this movie. A jury found for the plaintiff.
The civil case was considered to be an important step leading to the 2013–2017 Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The case also led to the development of the working with children checks government policy across Australia.

## Locations

The events centre around the Toowoomba Preparatory School (now known as the Toowoomba Anglican School) with filming around Toowoomba. Some shooting occurred around the Ipswich area, with the historic schoolhouse facade being the National Trust-listed 1888 'Woodlands' at Marburg. Scenes from Picnic Point, Toowoomba were also used.

## Reception

Don't Tell was met with positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has an approval rating of 80% based on reviews from 10 critics.

### Accolades

| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
| AACTA Awards (7th) | Best Adapted Screenplay | Anne Brooksbank | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (7th) | Best Adapted Screenplay | Ursula Cleary | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (7th) | Best Adapted Screenplay | James Greville | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (7th) | Best Actress | Sara West | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (7th) | Best Supporting Actor | Jack Thompson | Nominated |
| AACTA Awards (7th) | Best Supporting Actress | Jacqueline McKenzie | Nominated |
| ADG Award | Best Direction in a Feature Film | Tori Garrett | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | Best Film | Scott Corfield | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | Best Screenplay | Anne Brooksbank | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | Best Screenplay | Ursula Cleary | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | Best Screenplay | James Greville | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | Best Actress | Sara West | Nominated |
| AFCA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Jack Thompson | Won |
| AFCA Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Jacqueline McKenzie | Nominated |
| ASE Award | Best Editing in a Feature Film | Peter Carrodus | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Screenplay | Anne Brooksbank | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Screenplay | Ursula Cleary | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Screenplay | James Greville | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Actress | Sara West | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Jack Thompson | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Aden Young | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Jacqueline McKenzie | Nominated |
| Newport Beach Film Festival | Audience Award for Best Feature Film | Audience Award for Best Feature Film | Won |