By Hope 103.2 NetworkMonday 21 Feb 2022Inspirational StoriesReading Time: 3 minutes
In 2022, there were an estimated 487,500 Australians living with dementia, according to researched undertaken by the National Centre For Social And Economic Modelling (NATSEM), University of Canberra.
With the number set to increase in the coming years, new Australian film Ruby’s Choice is a timely conversation starter, providing insight into the impact of dementia on Australian families.
Starring two-time Golden Globe Winner Jane Seymour OBE, Ruby’s Choice is a poignant movie that follows three generations of Australian women facing an invisible and insidious foe – dementia.
After accidentally burning down her house, Ruby (portrayed by Jane Seymour) is forced to move into her daughter’s crowded house. Told from the perspective of Ruby’s granddaughter, played by Coco Jack Gillies, it’s a film for all ages.
Source: Ruby’s Choice Film Facebook / One of the first shoots on location with Director and Producer Michael Budd and Jane Seymour in Sydney
“You get to see a lot of the humour between the granddaughter and her grandmother, the struggle of the mother and how she has to pull the whole family together. Jane Seymour has done an amazing job portraying Ruby”, Jessica Butland, of Brisbane-based production and distribution company responsible for Ruby’s Choice Radioactive Pictures, said.
Their hope, alongside director Michael Budd and key charity partner Dementia Care Intentional, was to help families who don’t know how to handle a dementia diagnosis.
“Ruby’s Choice is showing that someone with dementia can still have a meaningful impact in your life, they just have different needs. As a society, we don’t currently know how to meet those needs,” Jessica said.
Source: Ruby’s Choice Film Facebook / One of the youngest stars, Coco Gillies who plays Tash, on set behind the scenes
Ruby’s Choice offers hope and inspiration and will undoubtedly resonate with audiences touched by dementia.
“I saw a lot of what my grandmother went through with dementia,” Jessica said.
“We went through all the things that you see Jane Seymour as Ruby go through but it really gave me peace. It gave me a lot of hope for the future of those living with dementia.”
Ruby’s Choice was inspired by writer and producer Paul Mahoney’s work as a disability case manager and was directed by Michael Budd, who was inspired to make the movie after losing his grandma to dementia.
A portion of the movie’s profits will go to Dementia Care International and its charity arm Dementia Foundation for Spark of Life – transforming the lives of people with dementia all across Australia. As the official charity partner for the film, they worked to ensure the story reflected real-life experiences of families dealing with dementia.
- Win an In-Season Double Pass to Inspirational Film ‘Ruby’s Choice’
Ruby’s Choice is in cinemas March 3.
Listen to the full interview in the audio player above.
By Steff Willis. This article has been supplied thanks to our partner station in Brisbane, 96five.
Feature image: Rubys Choice Film Facebook, film poster by David Collins