General News
1 March, 2025
Movie screening to raise mental health awareness
Fat Farmers Rural Health Initiative will be hosting a free community screening of 'Just A Farmer' starring Leila McDougall, Joel Jackson and Robert Taylor, at Warracknabeal Town Hall on March 2 at 4pm.
Filmed on the outskirts of Ararat, the film follows Alison who is left to manage an ailing farm and an alcoholic father-in-law after the sudden death of her husband.
As she navigates the challenges of rural life, viewers will be exposed to generational trauma, love, loss and the undeniable resilience of a farming community in the face of a tragedy.
Directed by Simon Lyndon, the film premiered in March 2024 at the Astor Theatre in Melbourne and was then screened in 100 regional cinemas.
The event aims to raise awareness of mental health and resilient communities with all invited to attend and a light supper with refreshments available after the screening.
Writer and actress Leila McDougall will be making a special guest appearance for a question and answer panel after the movie screening.
Ms McDougall decided to write a movie during the Covid pandemic, using entertainment as an avenue to spread her message and advocacy to spark meaningful conversations and bringing hidden challenges into the spotlight.
She said she is excited to bring the screening to Warracknabeal.
"It'll be lots of fun," Ms McDougall said.
"We do lots of community screenings of the film and see the impact it has on people and see them really open up and ask the tough questions.
"It's a good starting point for having conversations around mental health with those in the agricultural sector and it brings the community together."
Ms McDougall said from other community screenings, there hasn't been a set demographic that the film attracts.
"It's kind of varied from around 28 year olds to 60 years. They all mingle together in these communities," she said.
Through the question and answer panel, she said guests ask a wide range of questions.
"Some are interested in the film making process and the authenticity of it, some are interested in the characters and the inspiration," she said.
"We also have local support services on the Q and A panel so people can see and hear where local support is."