The Yes Men (2003)

Anti-corporate activists travel from conference to conference, impersonating member of the World Trade Organization.

Directors:

Dan Ollman, Sarah Price,

Stars:

Mike Bonanno, Andy Bichlbaum, Michael Moore

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mike Bonanno	...	Himself
Andy Bichlbaum	...	Himself
Michael Moore	...	Himself
Marco Deseriis	...	Himself
Wago Kreider	...	Himself
Patrick Lichty	...	Himself
Matt McElligott	...	Himself
Ryan McKinley	...	Himself
Laura Nix	...	Herself
Bob Ostertag	...	Himself
Sal Salamone	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Phil Bayly	...	Himself - Chicago News Reporter
Andreas Bichlbauer	...	Himself (as Dr. Andreas Bichlbauer)
Philip De Lorenzo	...	Himself - Student
Greg Palast	...	Himself

Storyline

A comedic documentary which follows The Yes Men, a small group of prankster activists, as they gain world-wide notoriety for impersonating the World Trade Organization on television and at business conferences around the world. The film begins when two members of The Yes Men, Andy and Mike, set up a website that mimics the World Trade Organization's--and it's mistaken for the real thing. They play along with the ruse and soon find themselves invited to important functions as WTO representatives. Delighted to represent the organization they politically oppose, Andy and Mike don thrift-store suits and set out to shock unwitting audiences with darkly comic satire that highlights the worst aspects of global free trade.

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Plot Keywords:

trade | conference | activist | world trade organization | thrift store | 

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Taglines:

Changing the world one prank at a time.

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

13 January 2005 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

Globalisierung, nein danke! - Die 'Yes Men'

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$24,373 (USA) (24 September 2004)

Gross:

$198,975 (USA) (15 October 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yes Men Films LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min 80 min 83 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Mono)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)

User Reviews

These Hamburgers Are Excrement, eh, Excellent

This one's a perfect example of good intentions fatally flawed by weak execution.

Of course, all the anti-globalization pranks the Yes Men are confronting their unsuspecting audiences with are to be applauded for their daring activism, but even compared to the polemic and sensationalistic likes of Michael Moore (who even appears in this pic for a few short moments) there's no sharp satirical edge to the duo's mischief. Their fake presentations are simply too silly, while the didactic and emotional impact remains slight.

Additionally, the storyline and editing are way too sloppy, focusing more on the Yes Men's preparations than on the activities themselves.

Still, this kind of leftist guerrilla cinema is welcome, but it could've been so much better.

5 out of 10 inflatable phallic monitors