A little while back I mentioned that I’d seen the original “Yes Men” film and that Minnesota Film Arts had booked the follow-up “The Yes Men Fix The World”. M.A. and I went on Friday to the nearly-sold-out 7pm show. I was a bit early, fearing a Crazy Heart line fiasco, and was waiting in the lobby when I overheard a man (who I discovered later was MN Film Arts president? Ryan?) convince a concessionaire to wear a Halliburton SurvivaBall. Mike Bonanno, co-writer and co-director was sipping a beer as we went up the stairs to the rapidly-filling theater.

Ryan and Mike came out before the film to say a few words, with Mike promising to return after the film to answer questions from the audience. We were encouraged to compose difficult—or even hostile—questions in order to fight the burden of our Minnesotan stereotype.

The film itself is a brilliant, funny, and poignant follow-up. Andy and Mike got their start when they, after making a fake WTO web site, agreed to speak at several conferences and to appear on television interviews. In the new film, they perplex and anger many with their public announcement that Dow Chemical would reparate the victims of the Union Carbide Bhopal chemical disaster. They pretend to be HUD officials in New Orleans, declaring a housing project slated to be destroyed reopened. And they put on the SurvivaBall™.

Mike Bonanno

After the film, Mike came back and answered many questions about how they go about pretending to be important people. He also handed out copies of their fake New York Times.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend you see the film. I waited too long to write about it, and now you can’t see it in Twin Cities theaters, but it’s available on DVD now!