[aha] Fwd: EXXON, DOW SLAM NEW YES MEN FILM; OPENS IN U.K. THIS WEEK

[Dedalus]

August 5, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOW, EXXONMOBIL SLAM NEW YES MEN FILM FOR "INACCURACIES",
"MISREPRESENTATION"; 
CONCEDE PIC "ENTERTAINING"
U.K. theatrical premiere of "The Yes Men Fix the World" August 7, opens in
U.S. 
theaters in October

    Article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsnews/idAFN2448454320090726?rpc=33
    Tickets, trailer: http://www.theyesmenfixtheworld.com/
    Yes Men "Challenge" network: http://challenge.theyesmen.org/
    Frequently asked questions: http://www.theyesmen.org/faq
    Beyond Talk: http://www.beyondtalk.net/
    Contact: mailto:press at theyesmen.org

ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical spokespersons have lashed out out at
award-winning new
documentary "The Yes Men Fix the World" in an interview with the Reuters
press
agency, shortly before  the film's U.K. theatrical opening.

"We think it is a serious matter when people willingly misrepresent
themselves,"
said a spokesperson for the world's largest oil company, responding to the
film's
airing on HBO last week. The film will be in theaters in the U.K. beginning
this
Friday, August 7, and in U.S. theaters in October.

Exxon stopped short of calling the Yes Men outright liars, despite a scene
in the
film where the Yes Men, impersonating Exxon at a big oil conference in
Canada,
present the company's supposed solution to climate change: a new biofuel
called
Vivoleum, made from the human victims of climate change.

"Exxon can't actually deny that their actions are threatening to kill off
millions
or billions," said Andy Bichlbaum of the Yes Men. "What else would they do
with
the victims?" (Also featured in "The Yes Men Fix the World" are interviews
with
members of free-market think tanks, until recently funded by Exxon, who
promote
inaction on climate change before Congress and through multi-million dollar
advertising campaigns.)

The film is no kinder to Dow Chemical, the world's second-largest chemical
company. The film shows the Yes Men impersonating Dow live on the BBC
before 300
million viewers, announcing that Dow will finally compensate survivors of
the
Bhopal catastrophe and clean up the tainted groundwater left in its wake.
The film
contrasts this stark reality with Dow's "Dow Hu" advertising campaign.

Dow has reacted in kind. "While some may find the Yes Men entertaining,"
said a
Dow spokesperson, "it is important to realize that these pranksters
continue to
communicate inaccuracies."

"Dow lets people die from tainted water in Bhopal, yet communicates itself
as a
sort of corporate Mother Theresa," said Mike Bonanno of the Yes Men.
"Nobody but a
psychopath would find THAT entertaining."

For those who do want entertainment, The Yes Men Fix the World begins
previews
August 7 at the Odeon Panton Street in London, and launches officially on
August
11 in 20 cinemas across the U.K., before moving on to a theatrical release
in the
U.S. beginning October 7. For full screening dates and times, and to buy
advance
tickets, please visit http://www.theyesmenfixtheworld.com/screenings.htm

COME SEE THE YES MEN GET SERVED?

If you happen to live in the U.K., the Yes Men will be attending the London
preview screenings August 7-10 and will appear live at the nationwide
simulcast on
August 11. These are great opportunities to serve the Yes Men legal papers
should
you or anyone you know wish to sue them. Please get tickets early to
reserve a
seat for these potentially lively events! Note as well that the Yes Men
will give
a free "Special Edition" New York Times to anyone who comes to any daytime
screening, or to one of the Monday-Wednesday evening screenings at the
Odeon
Panton Street London between August 7-13.

DOWN UNDER? GO SEE "THE AGE OF STUPID"

On the evening of Wednesday August 19, A-list celebs will arrive at the
Sydney
Theatre and at a zero-waste tent in central Auckland, travelling by
bicycle,
rickshaw, foot, solar car, electric car, or horse. 40 cinemas throughout
Australia
and New Zealand will show the events as well as a Q&A with the
Oscar-nominated
star of the film, Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name of the Father, Brassed
Off), and
the director, Franny Armstrong (McLibel, Drowned Out). Visit
http://www.ageofstupid.net/news/oz_nz_premiere for tickets. This is a great
movie
with a great message!

ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD? TAKE THE YES MEN CHALLENGE

Lots of people have cool ideas for hot new Yes Men type actions. Sign up at
http://challenge.theyesmen.org/ and browse others' ideas, or make yours
come true.

READY FOR REAL ACTION?

Non-violent civil disobedience has been a core tactic of movements for
justice
throughout history - from Indian Independence, to U.S. Civil Rights, to the
anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa. It has already played an important
role
in blocking or shutting down dirty energy facilities. One way to move
beyond talk
is to visit http://www.beyondtalk.net/ and sign up.

-30-

-- 
"Ci sono cretini che hanno visto la Madonna e ci sono cretini che non hanno
visto la Madonna.
Io sono un cretino che la Madonna non l'ha vista mai.
Tutto consiste in questo, vedere la Madonna o non vederla."

email: dedalus at autistici.org
http://www.alterazione.net

about my artivity:
http://www.lesliensinvisibles.org
http://www.alterazione.net/n/d3dalus-artivity/