The film stars two-time Golden Globe winner Jane Seymour — known for her roles in Live and Let Die and Dr Quinn Medicine Woman — who plays Ruby in the film.
Directed by Michael Budd and written by Mr Mahoney, Ruby’s Choice is a film with a unique and positive perspective about dementia that will touch the hearts of all who see it.
The film explores the humanising story of a grandmother dealing with dementia, whose family rediscovers the value of her presence in their lives.
Ruby’s Choice follows three generations of strong Australian women who are bonded by moments of wisdom and joy.
Secrets of the family’s past are revealed as Ruby’s illness threatens to push them apart and the family struggles to make a big decision.
The film will resonate with those touched by dementia and a portion of the profits will go towards dementia care.
Mr Mahoney said dementia was the leading cause of death for women in Australia.
“The story looks at the different ways family members are affected, and their stories,” he said.
“There are three strong female characters. From a viewpoint of a teenager, to someone in their 40s and from someone in their 60s.”
Mr Mahoney said although dementia was a sad subject, he had tried to include Australian humour in the story.
“I’ve had people come out of the theatre and say it reminds me of The Castle,” he said.
He said the project took four years and was delayed because of the pandemic.
Shooting of the film had to be moved from Brisbane in March 2020 to NSW and it was shot in July 2020.
Mr Mahoney said he gained inspiration from his time at Shepparton Community Interlink.
“I was the disability and aged care case manager there and I met an elderly man whose neighbours and family described him as grumpy and cantankerous,” he said.
“When I got to work with him I figured out there was a little bit more going on, so I had him formally assessed by a neuropsychologist who came back with the diagnosis of dementia.”
The screenwriter used to live on his parent’s dairy farm on Curr Rd near the aerodrome and was a student at Kyabram High School.
Mr Mahoney said he had ambitions to take over the family farm from his father, but that did not eventuate.
He has fond memories of Kyabram’s Plaza Theatre, recalling the release of Back to the Future.
Ruby’s Choice will be shown Tuesday, May 3, at the Plaza Theatre, Kyabram.
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