Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno describe themselves as “two guys who couldn’t hold down a job until they became representatives of Exxon, Halliburton, Dow Chemical, and the U.S. federal government”.
But don’t expect to find those credentials on their LinkedIn profiles. Exxon, Halliburton, Dow Chemical, and the US federal government have never hired these individuals. Bichlbaum and Bonanno are the Yes Men, an activist duo whose modus operandi is to present themselves as official spokespersons for some of these large corporations and make statements that the corporations will probably never make. For example, they posed as representatives of Dow chemical in order to issue an apology for the 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, India. Their actions were quickly debunked, but attracted significant media attention while reporters believed it was legitimate, and greatly raised the profile of the ongoing and unresolved tragedy for the people of Bhopal. The Yes Men noted to Democracy Now of their work, which they call “identity correction”, “It creates this moment of confusion, where people ask, ‘Why don’t they do that? Why don’t we simply do the right thing?’”
In The Yes Men Are Revolting, their latest movie just released to iTunes and Vimeo On Demand as well as to select theaters in North America, Bichlbaum and Bonanno face a lawsuit, and seem to be starting to feel the weight of their years and the immensity of what they’re going up against. When the stunts they stage in the 2009 Copenhagen climate change conference seem to make little difference and the climate talks fail, they are deeply disheartened and consider what next to do with their lives. Bonanno moves to Scotland and has another baby. Bichlbaum, at loose ends, tries working on a stunt with Greenpeace. But finally, instead of giving up, they reconnect with the inspiring energy of the Occupy movement. Bonanno moves back to New York with his family. Together with Canadian tar sands activist Gitz Crazyboy, they pull off an incredible stunt related to green energy. We won’t spoil it for you, but it’s awe-inspiring to see how the people in the room, normally considered to be anti-green energy, are convinced and inspired by their presentation.
This documentary film is well paced, creating a strong narrative arc and skillfully balancing humor with the serious and sobering realities of climate change, tar sands pollution, and the dangers to Arctic wildlife. Not everyone’s path is that of an environmental jester, going out on a limb to pointing out the foibles of those in power. The Yes Men themselves realize this, and have put effort into creating what they refer to as an action switchboard helping people all over the world connect their skills with opportunities to take action for climate change.
For all the grim reality we face through the film, The Yes Men Are Revolting manages to conclude with a note of hope that if we come together, we can make a difference. For this, as well as for the sobering reality it does not shirk from illustrating, we recommend it. To find out about screenings near you, visit http://theyesmenarerevolting.com/screenings-events/.
– by Parvati Magazine staff