Press release, September 17, 2009:
Parliament members Mats Johansson and Luciano Astudillo have invited director Fredrik Gertten to screen his documentary feature film BANANAS!* in the Swedish parliament. After the screening, a panel discussion will be held about the limits of freedom of speech and artistic responsibility.
BANANAS!* raised attention worldwide after being pulled out of competition from the Los Angeles Film Festival in June. The film tells the story about a legal battle between Nicaraguan banana plantation workers and Dole Food Company. After the Los Angeles screening, Dole sued the filmmakers in the U.S.
In a statement related to the screening, parliament member Mats Johansson writes: “For me as a former journalist and publisher the "BANANAS!*" case is of great political importance. The freedom of speech is central to an open society, and must be protected all over the world. The outcome of the process is crucial for the future in a global context, which is a new situation to Swedish standards.”
Parliament member Luciano Astudillo states: “I strongly disapprove with Dole’s attempts to silence BANANAS!*. This is an attack on freedom of expression, which is a fundamental part of any open society. A major company should respect the freedom of speech and the independence of filmmakers.”
In addition to Gertten, Astudillo and Johansson, the panel includes Percy Bratt, free speech lawyer and chairman of The Swedish Helsinki Committee for human rights.
Thursday, October 1, 13-16 PM
Venue: Mittpoolen, entrance: Riksgatan 2, Stockholm
The meeting is open to journalists.
Prior notification is required; send a mail before September 28 to film@wgfilm.com and we will forward your request.
- Member of Parliament, The Moderate Party
- Member of Committee on Cultural Affairs
- Deputy member of Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Member of The Swedish Delegation to the Nordic Council
- Member of Parliament, The Social Democratic Party
- Member of Committee on the Labour Market
Read more about Dole’s lawsuit and our Anti-SLAPP motion and Cross-Complaint:
- July 9, 2009: BANANAS!* is getting sued by Dole
- July 28, 2009: First Amendment attorney to take on Dole lawsuit
- Sep 10, 2009: BANANAS!* strike back at Dole
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