FREMANTLE film-maker made good Simon Lyndon’s full-length directorial debut Just a Farmer has scored rave reviews from critics, including superstar Hugh Jackman, but his supporters are facing an uphill battle to get it screened locally.

Just a Farmer, which takes on the delicate subject of mental health in rural areas, landed an 8.9/10 on IMDb and isn’t far behind on Rotten Tomatoes.

• Fremantle film-maker Simon Lyndon with some of the cast and crew of Just a Farmer.

Mental health

Lyndon’s mate from his WA Academy of Performing Arts days, Jackman posted to his Instagram account that he’s “so proud of my friend Simon Lyndon, whose directed a really beautiful and an important movie called Just a Farmer”. 

Alongside this, Lyndon’s number one supporter, his mum Ange, has been trying to get the film a larger audience by going to local cinemas and reaching out.

“Its very disappointing to see that the city cinemas didn’t take it on,” Ms Lyndon said.

“They said ‘People aren’t interested in farming’.”

The Herald’s long-time satirist/cartoonist, Ms Lyndon said she tried without luck to get local Indi cinema Luna interested in screening’s her son’s film.

City Hub Sydney’s film critic was full of praise: “Finally, a high profile and extremely powerful Aussie movie which spreads awareness of the physical and psychological hardships suffered by Australian farmers.” 

Farming communities across Australia and New Zealand have also got on board to try and raise awareness about Just a Farmer.

Aussie Hay Runner noted their Facebook post about the movie had 367,000 views and “made it all the way around the globe.

“This is a story that needs to be heard,” they posted.

“The movie authentically showcases the everyday challenges our farmers, their families and communities face.”

Lyndon said the support from rural communities was a “beautiful thing … and it’s heart-warming, and hopefully it’ll get out to the people who need to see it.

Spotlight

“I really believe in the theme of this film, and I think we need to shine a spotlight on mental health. 

“Not just in rural communities, but generally.”

Just a Farmer is about young widow Alison, played by Leila Mcdougall, who is left to take care of not just a dying farm, but also an alcoholic father-in-law, following her husband’s suicide.

Lyndon says Alison has to face and adapt to the harsh conditions of rural living, with the film exploring themes of grief, love and generational trauma.

“One of the great things for me, looking back at the film, is really the performances, because they’re so natural and gutsy,” he said.

The response from rural communities has also given him more of a sense of what the film has achieved so far.

“Not only do I have an opportunity to be of service … and have a theme that we care about, it’s become a privilege really,” he said.

If they can’t get it into local cinemas, you can stream Just a Farmer from justafarmermovie.com

by EBEN FOURIE