Consultants from DSA will support Q&A sessions following screenings of the movie Everybody’s Oma to promote a better understanding of caring for someone with dementia.
Everybody’s Oma follows the heartwarming story of a NSW Central Coast mother and grandmother, Hendrika van Genderen, who became a global sensation during the pandemic based on family home videos that followed her experiences living with dementia.
In an Australian first, Dementia Support Australia (DSA) consultants will participate in Q&A Huddles during a national preview screening tour beginning in the Sydney suburb of Burwood on Saturday, July 30. Director/producer Jason van Genderen and wife Megan, who also appear in the film, will also take part in the information sessions. The film will have a general release in cinemas from August 11.
DSA Head of Dementia Professional Services Marie Alford, who is participating in some of the Q&A Huddles, said the release of Everybody’s Oma was an extraordinary opportunity to connect with people who have questions about dementia.
“We expect there will be many who will be attending these preview screenings who can relate closely to Oma’s journey and how the van Genderen family responded,” Ms Alford said. “We’re here to support anyone who might want to know more about a disease that is impacting a growing number of families as Australia’s population ages.”
DSA offers a free nationwide 24/7 service, funded by the Australian Government, to improve quality of life for people living with dementia.
Everybody’s Oma was primarily captured on iPhones and features footage spanning 12 years of the van Genderen family’s home life. The film has already been selected for the Sydney Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and Cinefest Oz.
The family home videos featuring Oma, including setting up a Coles supermarket in their home during lockdown, have attracted over 100 million views globally, turning her into an online celebrity.
Sadly, Oma lost her battle with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia on February 17, 2022. As a tribute, the family will leave a front-row seat free in memory of Oma at each screening.
Mr van Genderen said the use of iPhone video in the movie enabled him to capture fleeting situations to give the film a raw intimacy with the audience. “In Everybody’s Oma, the audience will experience an intimate observation of our family – all the flaws and joys – as we navigate an extraordinary journey,” he said.
Mr van Genderen will also share insights about his journey with Oma as a speaker at the International Dementia Conference: Brave New World on September 8 and 9, 2022 at the Hilton Sydney.