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:

Andreas Bichlbauer, Mike Bonanno, Andy Bichlbaum

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:

parliament | president | identification card | fast food restaurant | american government | 

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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 USA:

$24,373, 26 September 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$198,975, 17 October 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yes Men Films LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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 Are Revolting (2014)

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Soundtracks

Viuhahdus
Written by Vexi Salmi and Irwin Goodman
Performed by Irwin Goodman

User Reviews

personal mission gets major leverage

This shows how some of the bizarre scripts written by well meaning but now largely irrelevant organisations have been become so muddled that many of the audience don't realize the joke is on them. With a few notable exceptions the America we see on our daily news has had an irony bypass already and forget satire so it is great to learn that the artform is not lost by the Yes Men.

NZ's very own former PM and trade minister most famous for "lamb burgers" and (sincerely convinced WTOer) Mike Moore gets a photo shot early in the film when a WTO site is shown. He is followed closely by the other Mike Moore who is much better known but wasn't really needed in the film.

The remote workers viewing device (phallus) had our festival audience in apoplexy and deserves to be shown widely especially the animated sections.

On the whole though it was refreshing to think that a few clever protests with careful thought and some talented execution can create ripples on the pond so wide that millions of people have now seen the echoes in a media format somewhere near them.

In a world where individual action often seems puny it was great to see it is still possible to be funny and absolutely relevant and tactical without being boring.