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Film Focus: The Yes Men
September 7th 2004 |
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Directors:Chris Smith, Sarah Price, Dan Ollman Starring: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno US Release date: September 24th 2004 UK Release date: tbc Official movie site: The Yes Men (MGM)  See the report
Two merry pranksters posing as officials from the World Trade Organisation are the stars of the new documentary 'The Yes Men'. It's the latest offering in the recent wave of political films, but this one is more subversive - and by all accounts, funnier - than most. Manoush Zomorodi has been to meet its makers.
In 1999 the two created a parody of the WTO's website on the internet - and to their delight, people around the globe believed the activists were the real thing and started inviting them to conferences and onto television shows. They sound and look like WTO officials - but they talk utter nonsense. Andy Bichlbaum: 'The actual policies of the World Trade Organization are as ridiculous as what we portray in the movie. What we have against them is that they enforce the notion that commerce should trump all other human endeavours.' Bichlbaum and Bonanno say the WTO helps businesses do business without any consideration for civil rights, the environment, or basic humanity. The climax of the film comes at a conference where the two unveil new technology supposedly developed by the WTO.
Michael Bonanno: 'Sadly there's this group psychological phenomenon of accepting authority and not acting upon the obvious signs of trouble.' Co-director Chris Smith, who spent three years with the Yes Men, says his film is less about the World Trade Organization and more about the fact that if you look the part, people will believe anything you say. Chris Smith, Director: 'It seems the point the film is making is that if you look the part, wear a suit and have short hair then basically, if people think you're someone of importance or power, that you basically say or do whatever you want - and people will believe you. ' As for the WTO's response: Bonanno and Bichlbaum say that at first, the duo was denounced by the organization. But later they claim the WTO became more savvy and took a different approach.
Critics have given 'The Yes Men' a thumbs up. They say not only do The Yes Men make their point brilliantly, but following the merry pranksters around as they carry out their hoaxes makes for hilarious viewing. The Yes Men are now turning their sights on President George Bush and his administration. So don't be surprised if you come across some pseudo-Republican officials near you in the near future. (Another website covering all of the Yes Men's activities is this one: The Yes Men) |
Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno are 'The Yes Men'. They're activists who impersonate members of the 
They tell the Finnish audience that their phallic computer can monitor low-paid workers overseas and deliver electric shocks to spur them on, if necessary. The businessmen and women actually believe that the WTO has itself created this initiative. 
Mike Bonanno: 'They said they considered us to be very funny and a lot of the policies that we were addressing they're trying to address as well, or are trying to address.'  |