Tired of lives ending in loneliness

More than reminiscences of the good old days, the 30-minute film is a touching portrayal of ageing and loneliness, and what happens when the elderly are isolated and forgotten.

There will be a free open-air screening amid the Department of Housing tower blocks in Waterloo today in an event designed to foster a sense of community in a place that many people know but few visit unless they have to.

The film's title comes from Leo's description of the towers: ''It's where the poor people go to retire. It's like a ship tying up for the last time, you know? You come here to peacefully enter the last hundred yards.''

Filmmaker Simon Dikkenberg had worked as a volunteer with the Community Visitors Scheme so he was thrilled when he was asked to work on the project.

''The process was as important as the product, in them having the experience of being acknowledged and being heard,'' he says.

''We also wanted to paint a picture of Redfern and Waterloo area. It was not about trying to tell an individual's story but to paint a picture of the area and weave the story of the area through these four voices.''

Isolation is a strong theme, and Dikkenberg says that as many of the elderly residents become physically restricted they are scared to go out and connect with the community.

''Seventy-five per cent of this area is housing commission, and with the poverty comes problems like drugs and, to a lesser extent, gangs, but that feeds the fear of these older people,'' he says.

''What dissolves fear is communication, connecting to other humans, so hopefully this film connects people to one another, to older people, to Redfern, and breaks down some of those fear barriers and replaces them with love and respect.''

Ultimately, he says, all they want is someone to talk to: ''I think all people of that age, when someone sits opposite them with respect and an open ear and an open heart, they're more than ready to pour out their story.

''It might not be the most dramatic or exciting, but everyone has their story.

''Somebody taking the time to listen is an amazing gift for people.

''Even if it's a 30-second conversation as you're waiting for the bus, it's a gift, an acknowledgement, and it's invaluable.''

The Last Hundred Yards will screen on the green between Turanga and Matavai buildings at 1-3 Phillip Street, Waterloo, at 5.30pm today. If it is raining, the screening will be at The Factory Community Centre, 67 Raglan Street, Waterloo.

Source: www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/tired-of-lives-ending-in-loneliness/2009/09/03/1251570799829.html