Fassbender, was the first and only choice to play the lead role in Shame. Actors Carey Mulligan and James Badge Dale joined the cast in December 2010 to play the younger sister and boss, respectively, of Fassbender's character. "I had so many passes I couldn't even tell you", said casting director Avy Kaufman, who faced the challenge of casting an NC-17-rated film. Kaufman had a unique assignment from McQueen, who wanted top-quality actors even for tiny parts like Brandon's fly-by-night sexual partners. "The idea was that those partners would propel the story forward with their silence, showing Brandon's state of mind, or even suggesting the history of their relationship with a look or a gesture. The actresses, of course, also had to meet certain physical requirements." Filming Production was scheduled to begin on location in New York in January 2011, though Fassbender later commented in an interview that he just began shooting his scenes in early March. A majority of the film was shot in and around Chelsea. The office scenes were filmed in the Citigroup Center and the hotel scenes and nightclub scene were shot at the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. Soundtrack A soundtrack was released via Sony Classical Records on 6 December 2011. "New York, New York "Theme"" arrangement and production by Stephen Oremus and piano by Liz Caplan Personnel David Butterworth – orchestration (1, 11, 15) Rolf Wilson – leader (1, 11, 15) Nick Wollage – engineering, recording, mixing (1, 11, 15) Pete Hutchings – assistant engineering (1, 11, 15) Manfred Melchior – mastering Ian Wood – score editor (1, 11, 15) Isobel Griffiths – orchestra contractor (1, 11, 15) Lucy Whalley – assistant orchestra contractor (1, 11, 15) White Label Productions – design Steve McQueen – liner notes Release Shame premiered at The 68th Venice Film Festival in the main competition. Fassbender won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his role in the film. It was also screened at The 36th Toronto International Film Festival, The 49th New York Film Festival, The 55th B.F.I. London Film Festival and The 34th Starz Denver Film Festival. Shame was released in the UK on 13 January 2012, after the limited release screening in the US that commenced on 2 December 2011. Fox Searchlight Pictures paid around $400,000 to acquire the United States distribution rights of Shame. US rating The film was