Waterloo doco keeps it real

Made by community health worker Bridge Andrews, film maker Simon Dikkenberg, and photographer Toby Burrows, the short film aims to share life experiences and the particular character of the Waterloo housing estate with a wider audience.

Simon Dikkenberg said the film spoke of the process of ageing as well as the way elderly people are treated. “The word elder has associations with tribal societies but I’m keen to use it more broadly because of the dignity and respect and sense that there is wisdom and value in listening to what elders have to say,’’ Dikkenberg said.

“Our society marginalises older people.

Once retired they lose value or productivity and wait to die. That is why we chose the name The Last Hundred Yards’’.

Dikkenberg said he hoped a wide variety of people would come to the screenings to share the experience of the public housing community.

“I come from a privileged background and I found it confronting to go into these buildings. But being on this project, my fears evaporated,’’ he said.

The Last Hundred Yards screens at Redfern Town Hall on September 2 at 5.30pm and on Waterloo Green on Friday, September 4 at 5.30pm.

Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/waterloo-doco-keeps-it-real/