'Just a Famer' Film Spotlights Rural Mental Health

Leila McDougall, a Walcha-born farmer turned filmmaker, says she wanted to portray farmers' "authentic" experiences on film, showcasing local talent.

Her debut film, Just a Farmer, recently opened in regional theatres. And now it's on the big screen in the north-west. According to Ms McDougall, the film highlights farmers' mental health and sheds light on a topic that many people have previously ignored.

"A lot of people think I'm crazy for putting it on the big screen," she said.

"I do hope it opens conversations and encourages people to ask questions, while normalising people talking about mental health and suicide."

The story is told from the perspective of a 'generational farming family' and depicts the emotional roller coaster they go through following the death of a loved one.

The characters, she said, can be found in many regional communities.

"Everyone knows an Owen [the town drunk] in their community, or a gossip girl, or just a kid. It is a typical way of life," she said.

"You write what you know, and that is the culture that I grew up in."

The decline in farmers' mental health

Ms McDougall said farming and farmers are integral to our communities.

"Even the popcorn we eat at the cinema comes from a farmer," she said.

However, a farmer's livelihood can change in an instant. And that's something we see all the time, Ms McDougall said, when natural disasters strike or there's a personal or family crisis.

According to the 2023 National Farmer Wellbeing Report, nearly half of farmers have had suicidal thoughts, and nearly one-third have attempted suicide or self-harm.

Ms McDougall said the film explores these issues and needs to be shown in metro areas, along with regional centres.

"We want to prove that people care about farmers and that audiences want to see authentic Australian stories," she said.

"I think it needs to reach metro audiences. We have had a lot of people ask us when it is coming to Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne.

"It is really hard, as we are up against big studios or blockbuster films. It is quite hard for Australian independent films to get into the marketplace."

Just A Farmer also features Walcha local and Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School student Oliver Overton as Eric, son of Alison (played by Leila McDougall) in a silver screen debut.

Just A Farmer is now playing in regional cinemas.

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(Source: Northern Daily Leader)