African Film Shows Tensions Between Banana Growers, Villagers
15 August 2011
"The Big Banana" shows the effects of an export banana plantation on the Mungo area of Cameroon.
This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
A movie from Cameroon called "The Big Banana" has come to the United States. It looks at issues with the banana industry like disputed land rights, food insecurity and pollution.
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This woman in Cameroon says the land belongs to local villagers and they are asking operators of banana plantations to give it back.
Franck Hameni Bieleu directed the documentary film. He says officials prevented a showing in Yaounde, the capital. He says making the movie was difficult, and even led to his brief detention.
FRANCK BIELEU: "I got arrested because the chief of that part of the village did not want me to film because he is being paid by the banana company. You understand, the thing is, everything around that area is controlled by the company. If you look at the congressman of the region, he is also the director of public relations of the company. The minister of trade of Cameroon is also president of the board of directors of the company."
The company, Plantations du Haut Penja, is French and American owned. Representatives would not talk to the filmmakers. The company and Cameroonian officials did not answer a request for a VOA interview.
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