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Deep Dive: The Fruit Machine (2018)

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The Fruit Machine
The Fruit Machine is a documentary directed by Sarah Fodey that examines a device used by the Canadian government in the 1950s and 1960s to identify LGBT employees. This controversial tool aimed to disqualify these individuals from civil service positions, leading to significant personal and professional consequences for many. The film features interviews with figures such as Michelle Douglas and Gary Kinsman, who share their experiences and the impact of the fruit machine on their lives. The documentary premiered at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival on June 1, 2018, and later aired as a TVOntario special presentation on September 29, 2018. It received a nomination for Best Documentary Program at the 7th Canadian Screen Awards in 2019, underscoring its relevance and the importance of the issues it addresses.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Michelle Douglas and hear her story.
  • •Find out how the fruit machine affected careers.
  • •See the impact of government policies on LGBT lives.

Did You Know

•The fruit machine was used by the Canadian government in the 1950s and 1960s.
•The film premiered on June 1, 2018, at the Inside Out Film and Video Festival.
•Michelle Douglas is one of the figures interviewed in the film.
•The film received a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2019.

Perfect For

LGBTQ historyCanadian government policiesCivil service employment