Bananas!*
2009
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Representation score: 7.1 out of 10
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Big Boys Gone Bananas!*
Representation Score
4.3/10
Fair
2011
Director
Fredrik Gertten
Runtime
90 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Big Boys Gone Bananas! is a meta-documentary that shifts from a standard labor exposé to a critique of institutional power. It examines the tension between independent filmmaking and multinational corporate hegemony, focusing on the suppression of investigative work. The film highlights the ability to act of underrepresented labor populations in the Global South by prioritizing the voices of Central American workers. This approach challenges traditional Western-centric perspectives and underscores the asymmetrical power dynamics between capital and labor. While the film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ and disability communities, it excels in its critique of corporate authority and the use of legal and media tools to protect corporate reputations.
Category Breakdown
Does Big Boys Gone Bananas!* have LGBTQ+ representation?
The documentary focuses on labor rights, legal battles, and corporate accountability rather than narratives centered on LGBTQ+ identities.
How does Big Boys Gone Bananas!* portray gender?
Both male and female workers are shown in plantation settings. Women are portrayed as active participants in the socioeconomic struggle of the workforce, avoiding traditional domestic roles.
How racially and ethnically diverse is Big Boys Gone Bananas!*?
The narrative centers on the lived experiences of Latin American workers, providing high authenticity through real-life plantation workers and disrupting a Western-centric perspective.
How does Big Boys Gone Bananas!* represent religion and culture?
The film critiques global capitalism and Western agribusiness, emphasizing the perspective of laborers against the extractive nature of established economic powers.
Does Big Boys Gone Bananas!* include disability representation?
There is no significant or identifiable focus on disability representation within the film’s primary narrative arc.
Present on Screen
- Centers the lived experiences and ability to act of Latin American workers.
- Provides a critical look at global capitalism and Western agribusiness.
- Disrupts the Western-centric gaze through authentic, real-life casting.
Limited or Absent
- Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities.
- Absence of focus on disability representation within the narrative.
Official Synopsis
The conflict between Dole Food Company and Swedish filmmaker Fredrik Gertten unfolds dramatically in the documentary "BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!" as the corporation attempts to suppress Gertten's earlier film, "BANANAS!"—chronicling Nicaraguan workers' lawsuit against Dole. Initially selected for the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival, "BANANAS!" was abruptly removed from competition, followed by a negative article in the Los Angeles Business Journal and legal threats from Dole's attorneys. Gertten captures this saga of corporate intimidation, media manipulation, and legal challenges in his documentary, showcasing the struggles documentary filmmakers face and highlighting the threat to freedom of speech posed by powerful corporations protecting their reputations.
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