Before the release of Bananas!* Dole wrote threatening letters to the four people involved in making the film, saying that they would sue them if they release documentary, on the grounds of false information. Dole had not seen the film. Though no false information was presented in the film, Dole continued to put pressure on both the filmmakers and the LA film festival that it was to be shown in. Out of fear the festival removed the film from competing, but let it be shown at an out of town theatre, with a declaration before the showing of the film, saying that the festival believed that the information shown was false. Dole thereafter attacked both the film festival and the filmmakers with law suits and demands that the film never be released or even mentioned again. This continued with angry letters and threats, until the Swedish parliament backed the Swedish filmmakers and Dole eventually dropped the lawsuit, but carried on blocking the release of the documentary in the U.S. After a lot of time and work, the matter was brought in court in the U.S. and the filmmakers won... With $200,000 in compensation. The film was finally released in the U.S.
It's crazy to see how far big companies will go just to scare people out of telling the truth. It's even worse to think how many people must be scared right now, and how many terrible things are hidden by huge corporations putting pressure on anyone who finds out.
It's great to see documentaries like this and their journey to defend the truth, freedom of speech, and supporting the use of ethically produced products. Ethical to humans, animals, and the environment as a whole. It's our duty to educate ourselves and support ethical products, which for the most part, are healthier for us too.
Cheers to everyone out there fighting for a good cause!
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