I just saw “Big Boys Gone Bananas” (I still haven’t seen “Bananas” yet), and was impressed with the filmmaker’s persistence in the face of Dole’s smear tactics. Sadly, the U.S. journalists who participated in the smear did not dig deeper, but simply printed the details that Dole provided. The truth will out! Needless to say, I will make sure my bananas come from another company in the future. Looking forward to seeing “Bananas” now!

You guys are my heros. First of all for producing the documentary Bananas which reveals the inhumane conditions that people are subjected to while simply trying to earn enough money to survive, and then with Big Boys Gone Bananas for fighting for everyone’s freedom of speech. I was born in the United States and I was rasied to believe that this is the greatest country on the planet. Now that I’m older and hopefully wiser I can safely say that the idea of a “greatest” country is absurd. While there are many things that make this a wonderful country to live in, I am ashamed to say that this country seems to be accelerating in the opposite direction to the greater good and instead moving towards the conditions that were rampant at the beginning of the last century; where the mega-tycoons bought and sold politicians openly, bigotry was nearly universal, and humans were seen as nothing more than commodities to be used and thrown away when broken. I honestly don’t know if the path we’re on can be stopped or even slowed, and watching American news sources with their clear corporate biases doesn’t give me much hope that it can, but seeing your story inspires me to not give up hope. Thank you for fighting for those of us without a voice, against all odds, and risking great personal hardships. It is people like you that are the vanguards of the world that I want to live in.

Like others I am ashamed at the “incorporation” of America and the demise of independent journalism in the U.S. I admire your courage and tenacity against “Goliath” and hope your story proves an inspiration to others to fight the good fight.


In addition I have boycotted Dole products and contacted them and told them that in addition to unethical treatment of their workers in third world countries I resent their attempt at suppression of freedom of the press, I will no longer purchase their products!

Hello- thank you for your film; interestingly, I picked it up at my local library along with a film about bullying. How very apt! Sometimes being American involves shameful feelings and this was one of those times. I intend to boycott Dole products from now on, and have been sharing what I learned from your film with other people. I have written to Dole to inform them of my intentions to never buy their products again. Thank you again for the work you do, and I am sorry you had to go through the anxieties and frustrations you did, ’ thanks’ to Dole. But, your film in the end has vindicated your struggles. Best wishes to all- Ginny DeHaan, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Fredrik — I just had the opportunity to view your film on Netflix. As an American, please allow me to express my sincere apologies and disgust at how you were treated.


I, too, have a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Instead of working for the media, I chose to pursue a brief career in public relations where as a young man learned early on the true agenda and motivation behind the messages being sent out from organizations and companies to pursue their own agendas often contrary to what is in the public’s best interest.


Your tenacity and desire to stick by your story and work you did are to be commended. We Americans are taught by the media, our culture and even those closest to us to watch documentary films with prejudice because oftentimes they present a skewed one-sided story, and often the truth tends to lie somewhere in the middle.


When you see a huge conglomerate like Dole take the actions they did and then do an about-face, it is obvious it was all smoke and mirrors up to the point where they had to no choice but to stop pursuing you. Had you lived in America, there are stories where companies like this (especially in the oil and gas industry) employ hit men and other thugs to make life difficult and even, at times, kill their adversaries to ensure nobody stands in their way.


Worse yet, companies spend all kinds of money, resources and time to build/enhance/strengthen their brands. They realize that one small, yet potent, negative effect could undo all of the work leading up to that point. So, the easiest thing is launch a smear campaign and discredit the person who is perceived to be doing the company harm. It is a very cowardly and childish way to settle the argument, but one that unfortunately too often tends to work.


Just to illustrate your point, another documentary film “Food Chains” that I watched recently speaks to how the largest grocery chains in America are exploiting the migrant workers who pick their tomato and other vegetable crops by only offering them one penny ($0.01) per pound of what they pick. Publix, one of the main grocery store chains involved, has employed similar tactics against the Coalition of Immokalee Workers as Dole did to you.


I am very pleased your countrymen and women came to stand by your side and support you. Rest assured that not all of us Americans agree with or support corporate greed and their agendas. As you explored, this is really a much larger issue than giving Honduran and Nicaraguan workers a voice. It is about huge corporations running amuck taking over not only our government and lobbying for successful passage of legislation that favors their interests but feeling as though they can wield their power anywhere in the world. It is no wonder why we Americans are often portrayed as naieve and think the world needs to bow down to us.


Great work on a story that needed to be told and for your perseverance. May your career as a film maker continue to a herald for the truth and to shine a spotlight in those dark corners that need to be illuminated.

I want to thank Sweden for doing what Americans cannot. I abhors corporate suppression! I want to thank Fredrik for his diligence and perseverance. How about taking on Monsanto next?! Much love to you.

Dear Frederick,

I was aware of the supreme power of money when I was in somewhat the same situation as you and the plantation workers in Nicaragua when I had to ponder the merit of bringing a suit against someone with a great deal of money in a case that was morally sound but for which there was little evidence. I had to weigh the health and well being of my children and the cost of the suit against the possible outcomes and was forced to withdraw and lick my wounds. I’m so very glad that you and your team were able to speak out and show the world the meaning of free speech and that no matter the price, you do the right thing. I only wish I had had the friends and supporters you have had, and that I had the courage to do more than simply talk about what happened to me and try to staunch the massive bleeding this wound caused in my life. I wish you health and a long career in serving the truth and bringing it to public attention freely and without threat.

This Movie has the worst subtitles that I have ever seen. Most of them were not visible and many did not make any sense. How do you let your movie be shown with such poor production

Fantastic! Love this documentary on the making of the film. Damn inspiring! You didn’t let the bastards grind you down. I’m familiar with the dubious history of Dole, these facts of the documentary didn’t surprise me. I grew up in a house with a parent that was a Political Science Professor for 30 years. Her specialty was Latin American Politics and I knew early what the term “Banana Republic” truly meant with regard to the Governments. We need more of this investigative reporting and film coverage. I discontinued buying Dole products years ago and will continue to do so. Thank you for this and your unwavering strength to follow and uphold the truth.

Thank you for fighting the fight that so many are afraid to fight. It is a testament to how easy it is to “wake up,” to embody courage, and to stand for something of true value. I cried at the end of this film… it touched me that deeply.


With gratitude,

MM

My father is a class action litigator in los angeles. I grew up in a house where we didn’t make alot of money but our father was doing the right thing. He took on corporations for infringing on the rights we were given as citizens.


I watched this film and felt so grateful for your work. Everyday I see privacy rights dissolve. Accept these terms and conditions? Take this drug, with fine print that can’t be read. More than that, I was reminded about how some people are fighting and bringing to light crime. Nicaragua may be far from me. And i’m pretty privileged. But the strength and fortitude you and margaret show take me back to the days where my father was in the supreme court fighting to protect privacy.


did he make much money from that? no. but he did it because he believes in the true definition of freedom. He really believes that law should strengthen our society, our artists, our thinkers. In my house, it was about what you thought from what you read. and the ability to argue and also Listen and change.


I wish I could buy this for my father and BANANAS!*. He would get a kick out of seeing a comrade fight the blatant illegal perversions of justice.


What a film.


You should be so proud. Your kids will be too. I know I am of my father.


Thank you for fighting. You gotta take a swing to have a chance at change sometimes.


An american girl,

thanks again,


lulu

I saw your film on Al-Jazeera. Fantastic fight. You fought well and stood up for the truth. Unfortunately, in my country, the media is adopting the American tactics of influencing opinions of people through the print, television and internet media. Infact, a politician of a particular nationalist party has successfully used these tactics to promote himself as a saviour from heaven and is on the verge of winning the national elections in India. If you haven’t heard of him yet, you will because he is about to become the prime minister of India.

Excellent! Well done! Keep up the good work!

Has it occurred to you that free distribution of the original film and the subsequent documentary would be supportive of your cause for free speech?

I had to jump through hoops to get to watch the second documentary, which negates your belief that this is an important message that needs to be told.

Post them both on Youtube and they will go viral within a matter of days, and then you can watch the world beat a path to your door to learn more. If you need money then journalists will pay for your time.

Better that way than asking people to pay to watch.

If you disagree then ignore this, but at least think about it.

Cheers, Will

Incredible and unbelievable situation ended all fine. What a thriller!

All the best and good luck in the future,

with best wishes,

T-JK

Really good film, I give two thumbs up! keep on filming and rolling

I am currently studying the Banana trade and women’s rights for my A-level in Anthropology. It is very interesting that this movie was one of the last results I saw when searching for Plantation workers rights, the media definitely wants to keep this hidden! And only to benefit yet more TNCs. They should be ashamed of themselves. Yet there are plenty of articles out there confirming the facts of mis-treated workers, I suppose a film is more ‘dangerous’ for TNCs like Dole as it is ‘’palatable for the masses.’’

Fantastic documentary “Bananas!” and great follow up in “Big Boys” I hope the Swedish maker comes out of this ok, he’s supporting human rights and is a courageous and intelligent man.

Well, I know its not much, and mosst likly will never get heard, however I wanted to do something, so I sent the following email to Dole;


“I just wanted to express my disappointment in Dole and its frivolous actions it took against Fredrik Gertten; ‘Boys Gone Bananas’. Dole should be ashamed of itself. As well Dole should as a direct result of its shameful actions, take the money it spent on legal fees and the smear campaign against Mr Gertten and sent it to its workers that have been affected by its use of pesticides as well make the same donation to a charity of Mr Gertten’s choosing.


As a direct result of these abusive actions taken by Dole, our family will no longer buy/support Dole products in our household."


Sincerely


Greg Knickle


Again, great film!

Sorry is this is a re post, my email was incorrect the first time and not sure it it went through


Great film, and Fredrik is certainly a bigger person than I, when speaking to John Procter; what a slime bag! Just have one question, did Dole stop attaching its name to Fredrik on the net??

Great film, and Fredrik is certainly a bigger person than I, when speaking to John Procter; what a slime bag! Just have one question, did Dole stop attaching its name to Fredrik on the net??

stay moomin!

For all the ruckus this film made, The dole Wikipedia page now has no mention of the incident, or subsequent films, aside from a small link in the references that someone forgot to remove!

Hej Fredrik och Margarete!


I just saw the movie on DVD and I must say it was one of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen! Anyone who is planing to change the world should start today with seeing this movie.


It was really great to see how much courage you had to decide to fight and continue fighting with this inhuman machinery. Huge respect for that.


Beside support from the parliament (although we are talking about Sweden here, it was still unexpected :) reaction on the whole process that came from max and grocery stores proves that you have succeded to make a change and that is important!


// r.

Caro Fredrik Gertten,


Assisti ao documentário BANANAS na noite de ontem numa emissora brasileira denominada TV CULTURA que só transmite em sua programação conteúdos que fazem as pessoas raciocinarem sobre os acontecimentos sérios que acontecem no mundo.


Eu quero agradecer imensamente a você e toda a sua equipe pelo belíssimo documentário que realizou. Quero, também, parabenizá-lo pela coragem, postura ética e determinação que você e toda sua equipe tiveram diante de todas as dificuldades que lhe foram impostas pela empresa em questão.


Sou professora de comunicação aqui no Brasil, moro em São Paulo e vou utilizar seu documentário em minhas aulas.


Obrigada, mais uma vez, o mundo necessita de muitos, muitos e muitos homens GRANDES em todos os aspectos e corajosos como você!


Obrigada por existir e por demonstrar que os verdadeiros heróis não estão nas historias em quadrinhos e sim, eles existem na vida real! Você é um deles!


Muitíssimo obrigada!


Luisa Helena Alves da Silva

I also saw the movie in the Brazilian TV Cultura. It’s a great peace showing how big corporations become a sort of parallel authoritarian state. They could’ve smashed you if it was not for the Sweedish democratic reaction. You really got nerves!

Congratulations! I also just saw the movie here in Brazil. It’s very nice that TV Cultura showed your film here. People need to know this story. The film discusses an issue that goes far beyond this actual case of Dole. As Dole has so many others companies. The film talks about a distressful situation. Great film!

Hello, Fredrik. I have just seen the Big Boys Gone Bananas documentary on a Brazilian state television network. Congratulations on this amazing job you guys have done. I would like to thank you and the Swedish parliament, for democracy and freedom of speech must be cherished. Always.