Dole goes “Bananas!” over documentary

Last month we mentioned how execs for Dole Food where peeved at a documentary called “Bananas!” The film portrayed Los Angeles-based lawyer Juan Dominguez who represented Nicaraguan plantation workers allegedly sterilized by chemicals used at the job. (A California judge has tried to dismiss the case after concluding that Dominguez lied and coerced plaintiffs to sign false affidavits). Dole’s attorneys even threatened to sue of a Los Angeles film festival for screening the documentary.

Not content with plans by the creator behind “Bananas!” to sell the film and work a distribution deal, Dole lawyers have flexed their legal muscle to try and stop him:

The Dole Food Co. has sued a Swedish filmmaker (Fredrik Gertten) and his company for defamation over a documentary that the food company says contains "patent falsehoods."

The conglomerate says the film's story about Nicaraguan workers who take Dole to court claiming they were made sterile through the company's pesticide use is inaccurate.

"To screen, promote, and profit from this film, despite the fact that its entire premise has been adjudicated a fraud ... is the epitome of reckless and irresponsible conduct," Dole lawyer Theodore Boutrous Jr., wrote in the suit.

"It cannot possibly be justified or defended. It must stop."

In response to Dole’s actions, Gertten’s lawyer said that Dole’s lawsuit is “without merit” and represents "the latest in a continued line of intimidating harassment by a multinational corporation aimed at a small, independent film and its filmmakers." In addition, Dole’s strategy could backfire in that filing a defamation suit against Gertten could attract undue attention. (e.g. This blog post in particular; the mainstream press).

To reiterate the question we posed last month “is ‘Bananas!’ a propaganda piece or a legitimate film?” Here’s the film’s trailer so you can make your own judgment:

Online Sources- BusinessWeek, CBC, Reuters, The Latin Americanist, YouTube