The Accused (1988 film)

''The Accused'' is a 1988 American legal drama film directed by Jonathan Kaplan and written by Tom Topor, loosely based on the 1983 gang rape of Cheryl Araujo in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The film stars Jodie Foster as Sarah Tobias, a young waitress who is gang raped by three men at a local bar. With the help of District Attorney Katheryn Murphy (played by Kelly McGillis), she sets out to prosecute the rapists as well as the men who helped induce the assault.

''The Accused'' was released in limited theatres in North America on October 14, 1988, and premiered the following year at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Bear. The film was highly controversial upon release due to its graphic portrayal of gang rape. Despite this, it received widespread acclaim from critics, with many praising the performances of the cast and authentic portrayal of its subject matter. It was chosen by the National Board of Review as the 3rd-best film of the year. The film was credited for being one of the first mainstream films to deal with the horrors of rape and its aftermath on a victim's life. Foster's performance marked her breakthrough into adult roles, earning numerous accolades including the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 61st ceremony. Provided by Wikipedia