WE LEND A HAND – The Strand Theatre

This 50-minute, Ontario-made documentary tells the story of the Ontario Farm Service Force, which operated a number of civilian brigades during and after World War II, the purpose of which was to fill gaps in the labour force as workers left their jobs to fight in the war. WE LEND A HAND focusses on the Farmerettes, which accepted girls aged 16 and up for farm labour. Thousands of young women across Ontario left their homes, many for the first time, to go to far away farms and perform the back-breaking work required to harvest food, feed nations, and help win the war.

The documentary features archival footage, re-enactments, and interviews with surviving Farmerettes, most in their nineties at the time of filming.

The documentary is a precious piece of the historical record, and sheds light on a rather under-reported aspect of the war effort at home.

Dates:

Sunday, October 26, 4:15PM
Sunday, November 2, 4:15PM – featuring Q&A with Bonnie Sitter, co-author of the book Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz on which the doc is based

Tickets: $10 each, cash or debit, at the door. Also available in advance at the Strand during these hours:

Tue-Fri: 6:15 – 7:15PM
Sat-Sun: 1:15 – 2:15PM and 6:15 – 7:15PM