JUST A FARMER

Australia, 2023, 104 minutes, Colour.

Leila McDougall, Susan Prior, Joel Jackson, Robert Taylor, Oliver Overton, Vivian McDougall, Damian Walshe-Howlin, Trevor Jamieson, Louise Siversen.

Directed by Simon Lyndon.

There is something sad in hearing the dismissive phrase about someone, “Just a…”. This is a small but effective Australian film focusing on rural life and issues of mental health. In fact, at the beginning and end of the film, there is the urging for anyone anxious to contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue.

The power behind the film is Leila McDougall, a teacher, a farmer’s wife, with her husband establishing Rule Live in 2014, concerned about mental health and farmers, with the alarming statistic of the number of farmers who do commit suicide each year, interviewing many people and deciding to write the screenplay. She plays the central character, Alison, and much of the filming was done at the family property in Tatyoon, Victoria (including the sequence in the actual local Uniting Church), and many of the locals acting in the film, and local farm equipment used throughout.

Joel Jackson plays Alec, farmer, initial signs of some depression, working with his alcoholic father, Owen, veteran actor Robert Taylor, memories of his growing up, care for his wife, 12-year-old son and little daughter. Soon into the action film, he kills himself.

The screenplay takes up the themes of stoic continuing with life almost as if the tragedy had not happened, Alison persevering with the tasks around the farm. The children are sad, somewhat withdrawn, the boy lashing out during a local football match. Owen continues his drinking at the pub, sad memories of his dead wife in the past, suffering a stroke.

Another theme, as you would expect and hope, is that of how whoever is suffering can unburden themselves, talk to someone, talk to someone who is empathetic, Alison relying on her sister who has come to help, finding a listening ear in the woman who runs the local pub. And, the importance of the mother talking with her children, listening to her children, enabling them to express their sorrow and puzzle.

This is a topical film, made with insight and compassion, a contribution to awareness of Australian mental health.

1. The title, the tone, merely a farmer?
2. The initial warnings concerning Lifeline and Beyond Blue? Repeated at the end? The concern about mental health, farmers, suicides, consequences for families?
3. The setting, the farm, the actual farm and farmhands performing, the actual machinery? The vistas of the countryside, the cattle, the sheep, the shearing? Fences, rescuing sheep? The sheepdogs? Barns, equipment, need for repairs? Authentic atmosphere? Musical score?
4. The opening comment by the son, with his parents, the happiest days of his life, parents on horses, the roundup of the cattle, the boy and his sister driving, playing together?
5. The portrait of the family, Alec, working hard, the property, his father and drinking, bringing him home from the pub, their talks, Alec less sociable, his worries, his desk, taking medication? The buildup, sympathy, 20 minutes in and his hanging himself?
6. Alison, love for her husband, the children, domestic scenes, talking with her sister, her father-in-law and his help on the farm, drinking? The search for her husband, finding him dead? The impact, stoic, keeping to herself, not talking with the children, continuing on with the work, daily life, with the farmhands, the discussion about repairs to the machinery, the neighbour, Oliver, borrowing his harvester? The sister’s arrival, the house in disarray, her cleaning it, cooking? The meals?
7. The screenplay not immediately giving indications of Alex’s motives, the desk, the documents, his medication? His moods? The gossip at the football match, the sister confronting the women, Alice and confronting them? The sister asking Oliver, no affair?
8. Owen, father to Alec, grandfather, hard work on the farm, his physical state, the pub, yarns and swearing, friends, Jackie managing the pub? Bringing him home, continually drinking the cans, concern about his heart? Quietly sitting, the image of his wife on the tree? The story of her heart attack? The later revelation of the truth, suicidal, the crash, the baby in the car? Owen and his stroke, hospital, Alison devoted to him? The return home, with the grandchildren, giving up the drink?
9. Children, the young girl, drawing, playing, devotion? The boy, 12 years old, school, football, the fight and bullying during the match, morose, love for his father, no talking about his death, hard work on the farm?
10. Alison, bonding with her sister, able to talk, the sister’s encouragement?
11. Alison going to talk to Jackie, able to unburden herself, the puzzle of not talking, the importance of talking with someone sympathetic, therapy? Farmers and wary of therapy, the reference to “shrinks” by Owen? Alison facing up to it? Talking with her children, inviting them to talk about their experience, hurt, guilt?
12. Realistic portrait of life on a farm, the actual farm, the local Uniting Church, the minister and his words? Stock, crops and hay, harvesting, weather, machinery, finance?
13. In the final poetic words and reflection?