Just A Farmer
Special One Screening Only
Join us in Yass for a special screening of ‘Just a Farmer’ and meet the filmmaker and star!
Sunday 26th March promises to be a special afternoon in Yass at the historic Liberty Theatre for this screening, a moving musical performance, Q&A session with the filmmaker and refreshments.
Hurry, tickets are limited, one screening only!
Proudly brought to Yass by Buena Vibra with the generous support of the Liberty Theatre Yass, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program NSW, and Rural Financial Counselling NSW.
Synopsis
A newly widowed mother is left with the care of an alcoholic father-in-law and a failing farm. She is forced to forge a new path for her family, all while struggling to pick up the pieces of her life.
"Just A Farmer" transcends traditional cinema, authentically portraying the challenges and triumphs of a resilient farmer in rural Australia. This cinematic journey amplifies the often-overlooked voices of rural communities and sheds light on mental health struggles. It's more than a movie; it's a dedicated movement creating awareness, dismantling stigmas, and impacting the well-being of rural Australia. "Just A Farmer" breaks new ground, fostering understanding and assuring individuals they don't face darkness alone.
Just A Farmer is a powerful, independent Australian film that explores mental health in rural communities with raw honesty and hope.
Q&A with the Cast at Yass
Concerned about mental health in her small community, Leila Sweeney-McDougall made a film depicting the pressures that push farmers to suicide, as well as the trauma confronting those left behind.
Natural disasters, cost pressures and farm viability fears place extraordinary pressures on farmers, yet for many, it’s hard to talk about their struggles. Tragically, an Australian farmer dies by suicide every 10 days.
So, Leila and her husband Sean started a successful not-for-profit organisation ‘Live Rural’ that hosts a charity event called Mellow in the Yellow to get farmers talking about their mental health.
But Leila was determined to do more. With no previous film experience, she raised $2 million and wrote, produced and co-starred in a powerful feature film. Since its release in 2024, ‘Just a Farmer’ has received critical acclaim, national distribution and festival success.
Most importantly, it’s become a national catalyst for community conversations about mental health, hope and healing.
Movie Information
Release Date
21 March 2024
Duration
103 mins
Rating
M
Director
Simon Lyndon
Cast
Leila Mcdougall, Joel Jackson, Robert Taylor
Genre
Drama