Big Boys Gone Bananas!*

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  • Opened July 27, 2012 (NY; 8/3 LA)
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • NR
  • What is a big corporation capable of doing in order to protect its brand? Recently, Swedish documentary filmmaker Fredrik Gertten experienced this first hand. His previous film BANANAS!* recounts the lawsuit that 12 Nicaraguan plantation workers successfully brought against the fruit giant Dole Food Company. That film was selected for competition by the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival. Then just before leaving Sweden to attend the Los Angeles world premiere of his film, Gertten gets a strange message: the festival has decided to remove BANANAS!* from competition. Then, a scathing, controversial and misinformed article appears on the cover of the Los Angeles Business Journal about the film a week before the premiere. And subsequently, Gertten receives a letter from Dole's attorneys threatening legal action if the film is shown at this festival and to cease and desist. What follows is an unparalleled story that Gertten captured on film. Full synopsis

  • Cast: Alex Rivera, Alfonso Allende, Arvid Jurjaks, Bart Simpson, Bernt Hermele, Charlotte Lundgren, Dan Koeppel, David Magdael
  • Director: Fredrik Gertten
  • Genres: Documentary, Drama

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Critics say So-So
54 out of 100
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Critic Reviews

63
Slant Magazine
|

The issue remains that this variety of faux-populism seems better suited to the soapbox than the silver screen. Read full review

60
Variety
|

A David-and Goliath story that delves into corporate scare tactics, legal effrontery, brand protection, media manipulation, online propagandizing and craven behavior. Read full review

60
Los Angeles Times
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The relentlessness of corporate might is disturbing but no surprise; "Big Boys" is, however, an eye-opening look at the way the U.S. media fell lockstep behind Dole's claims. Read full review

60
The New York Times
| Jeannette Catsoulis

Documenting the vigorous strategies employed by the Dole Food Company to block the release of his 2009 film "Bananas!" - about a lawsuit brought by Nicaraguan workers who suspected the company's use of dangerous pesticides - the Swedish filmmaker Fredrik Gertten gains traction by taking the high road. Read full review

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Fredrik Gertten in "Big Boys Gone Bananas!*."