Documentary featuring Westwold woman hits big screen at Cannes Film Festival

WESTWOLD – A woman who has become known in Westwold for collecting what some people consider junk, is having her unique lifestyle displayed on the big screen at one of the world's most prestigious film festivals.

Some may call her a hoarder, but Jackie Cooke considers herself just a simple woman who's trying to help people.

Her friend's children started taking note of how unique she was, and decided to document it. The film is called Jackieland and was screened at the Cannes Film Festval. It showcases her home in Westwold, north of Vernon on Highway 97 between Falkland and Monte Creek, which is teeming 39 cats and 9 dogs.

Cooke works at the local dump where she finds things to take home, and also give to other people. She says most of the things she has in her collection where given to her by friends for doing odd jobs.

"I'm just a crazy woman who lives in the country with my animals, and I've collected junk my whole life I guess," Cooke says. 

She says it all started when the film's director, Darcy Turenne, followed Cooke around her backyard while she drank beer. Turenne got a look at how much stuff Cooke had collected, but also how much she gave away.

"I'm nobody special … If I had to give it all away tomorrow I would," Cooke says. 

She tries to give whatever she collects to people who need it most, like children's toys to single parents who can't afford to buy their kids new things. But she doesn't consider herself important, and has no idea why someone would want to make a film about her.

"I like my little life out in the country. I hope it don't get me in trouble."

LANGUAGE WARNING

%%embed1%%

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or call 250-319-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.