Docs on Bay film series: "Big Boys Gone Bananas"

Bay Street Film Festival's Docs on Bay film series is showing "Big Boys Gone Bananas," Thursday, November 8, about Swedish filmmaker Fredrik Gertten. It's been called a classic David vs Goliath story, but it is more about freedom of speech and what happens to a documentary filmmaker when he goes up against a large corporation. Media spin, PR scare tactics, dirty tricks, lawsuits, and corporate bullying come into play to try to destroy the filmmaker. But it is the people who ultimately prevail, thus creating a cautionary tale and a real-life lesson learning experience. Bart Simpson, a Canadian producer and director of documentary and fiction films, will attend the showing, and award-winning local director of "Banana Split," Ron Harpelle, will introduce Bart and lead the Q&A about the true cost of "Bananas" and corporate bullying. The film will be screened at 8 p.m. at the Finlandia Club, 314 Bay Street, in Thunder Bay. For more information, go to www.baystreetfilmfestival.ca, or call 807-345-0221 and ask for Kelly.