Yes Men Fix the World
[caption id="attachment_61248" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, two guys in cheap suits trying to save the world"]
[/caption]Yes men fix the world is a documentary that is as scary as it is funny. Cameras roll as two men in cheap suits, Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno attend conferences as representatives for various large corporations. Sounds simple enough, but here is the twist, they are not corporate execs. In fact they have no direct relationship with any of the companies they claim to be from.
The movie starts with Andy, posing as a Dow Chemical representative, about to go live on BBC News on the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal catastrophe to claim responsibility and pledge to clean up the toxic site, and compensate the hundreds of thousands of victims directly effected by the chemical plant.
What does Dow have to do with a Bhopal India? What happened in Bhopal India anyway? If you are anything like the millions of other Americans, then you are completely in the dark on Bhopal. The movie lays out all the nasty details on the largest industrial catastrophe in modern history when a pesticide plant built by Union Carbide explodes, leaving 5,000 dead and over 100,000 sick and dying. How could something so horrible go unnoticed? Want to know more? The grisly details are here. Dow acquired Union Carbide and launched an ad campaign in an attempt to make Dow seem caring and compassionate, siting the 'human element' that makes it possible. What ever that means.
After Andy, posing as Dow Chemical exec, announces on BBC that Dow is taking responsibility for Union Carbide's mess, Dow's stock plummets. It isn't long before Andy is exposed as a mere activist, trying to raise awareness. Dow is in fact, not going to pledge to right Union Carbide's wrong.
The Yes Men Fix the World goes to many lengths and creates outrageous scenarios that play out in front of seemingly clueless industry leaders. Everyone from Exxon to Halliburton to the mayor of New Orleans, no one is safe from the wrath of two men in cheap suits!
Most people will compare The Yes Men Fix the World to the spirit a Michael Moore type film, but I think they are more genuine in their pursuit. The Yes Men are not there to exploit the victims, they are there to hold a mirror up to the fat cats and money mongers in hopes that they will realize the error of their ways, and ultimately change. The Yes Men tackle several issues in their film. The climate and global warming, corporate greed, and the uncontrollable beast called free market. Critics attack The Yes Men saying their antics give false hope to people directly affected by the companies they claim to represent, but the movie shows the victims are more pleased with the fact that attention is being paid to the issue, rather then dwelling on the fact that they are not receiving the help that was promised.
The Yes Men Fix the World is premiering in LA on Nov. 6th with more dates scheduled around the country. For complete listings you can go here. I suggest that you go see this movie, and bring three friends with you!
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQX09DZLYE]
Hollywire sat down with Andy from The Yes Men and got to know a little more about their story. Turns out the two men just took advantage of a great opportunity when they were contacted after making a fake website. Andy said that they were just trying to mock a company that they didn't like, and when asked to speak on that companies behalf, they said yes! Camera in hand, they attended the conference and the rest is documentary history. Andy urged Hollywire readers to see the movie, get motivated and take to the streets. Make your voice heard. We all have to act now to bring about change and every single person counts when you are fighting for what you believe in. We can bring change, and we can do it now!
