Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (official website here) is a film about the aftermath of Fredrik Gertten's previous film, Bananas!. In Bananas!, Gertten investigates the lawsuit against Dole by workers in the banana fields. Dole responded in a pretty extreme fashion. This new documentary follows exactly what went down from the first instant that Gertten and team knew that something was up.This film was another 'predictable' documentary. Chronological, following main characters, showing natural highs and lows that came up along the way and of course bashing corporate America. Or, well, corporations in America and Europe.
This was the one and only screening of the film during HotDocs, but apparently it's (along with Bananas!) coming back for a run at the (newly renovated) Bloor Cinema. The audience seemed to be very receptive to the film and actually gave Gertten a standing ovation. I never look at the world through 'big bad corporations' lens, so although I get what the film was about and I appreciate what's going on, I probably won't be changing my habits, regular practice and opinions about things. Like I said, I can appreciate it, but that's about it. Maybe I'm a disappointment, but it is what it is.
Anyway, I guess it's a good film. I may not give it a glowing review, but that's not because it wasn't good. It's just because it didn't blow me away or surprise me in any way. It was cool to learn about how certain things and big companies work, but it didn't blow my mind. It definitely has a 'we can make a difference' message, and I appreciated that.
- picture courtesy of www.hotdocs.ca
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