Die Yes-Men regeln die Welt

Two guys, Andy and Mike, go undercover for the greater good of mankind. In the vein of Michael Moore, they expose multinational corporations for the soulless bastards that they are. The best and most imaginative segment is when Andy presents himself as Jude Finisterra, a spokesman for Dow Chemical in a live BBC interview. Dow had just acquired Union Carbide, and "Jude" says that the company is dissolving Union Carbide to provide $12 billion dollars in a fund for the families of those injured or killed in the Bhopal disaster. He also reads a formal apology with acceptance of full responsibility for the accident. The stock plunged until a deal spokesperson corrected the phony information.

Another stunt which fooled the media, including the "fair and balanced" Fox News, where a fake representative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announcing a reversal of their previous position on global warming. The laughs are for a good cause, so they are worth it. The two are dedicated and funny satirists and the Yes Men is a valuable movie.

Trouble-making duo Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, posing as their industrious alter-egos, expose the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal, and other shocking events.

These guys take on the disaster at Bhopal, the idea of human candles and discuss the wetlands' effect on Hurricane Katrina. Although they are not always successful (in fact, they seem to persuade almost no one) they are excellent at educating through the argument to absurdity.

These guys are clearly biased. While it is never explicitly stated that they are left or right, it seems pretty clear they tend to favor the liberal view. This may not sit well with some viewers and sit very well with others. I do not know -- clearly if you are pro-business or anti-business, you will look at this differently than others who have no opinion.

About ten year ago,I had the pleasure of attending an evening of political humour in Hartford,Ct. One of the performances was half of a pair of pranksters known as The Yes Men (both were supposed to be in attendance that night,but only Andy Bichlbaum was present,as Mike Bonnano was home in bed that night,sick with the flu). Andy spoke of their pranks,especially disrupting the W.T.O. conference,posing as the CEO's of a financial firm. He screened a video of the prank. I,suffice it to say,was in awe. Some years later,the first Yes Men film made it's debut,which I was impressed with. Now,some years later, the second film is here. The documentary focuses on some of the pranks that they've pulled since then. Among the standouts,Andy Bichlbaum made an appearance on BBC,posing as a executive from Dow Chemical,making the announcement that Dow is finally taking responsibility for the 1984 Union Carbide chemical lead disaster in Bhopal,India (which of course,never happened,but it did cause Dow to take a major drop in their shareholders on Wall Street),as well as their posing as members of HUD (Housing & Urban Development),appearing in New Orleans,just after Hurricane Katrina,with the promise that HUD was finally going to do something about rebuilding there. Bichlbaum & Bonnano share credit for writing & directing this scathing,but funny documentary about two men who have a penchant for pranking people that they don't like much. Passing resemblance's to the films of Michael Moore,as well as a rather obscure fake documentary (mockumentary?)called 'Czech Dreams' from a few years back will be noticed. Not rated by the MPAA,this film has a rude word or two & some mild adult situations that would probably fly over the heads of children.

When I started watching this movie I said to myself 'Oh, no, another Occupy argument!' And I do not fully agree with their reasoning.

But I loved it! Every minute the film was getting better. At times it might remind you of a Michael Moore feature. But this one is fun. And cleverly done. Now I want to see their other features.

And I guess the appeal is in the position taken. They seem to identify the case quite clearly. But instead of starting to march to impose their point of view "The Yes Men" are doing an art happening through satire. It is for the first time that I see a shift from the mystic-totalitarian stance of "make the government obey ME" to letting people see for themselves. Thank you "The Yes Men" for the new perspective.

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

The Yes Men are back... and this time, their leftist guerrilla tactics prove much more effective than the first time around: The cinematic presentation is more professional, the pace is much livelier, the pranks are more elaborate and there is more additional background information and emotional resonance.

Still, some of the hoaxes remain childish and some new aspects on globalization bashing would be welcome, but all in all it's more than watchable stuff. (And the final stunt involving a famous newspaper is wonderful.)

7 out of 10 gilded skeletons