Directing
Fredrik Gertten
Carl Fredrik (von) Gertten was a distinguished Swedish filmmaker and journalist whose career spanned several decades and continents, primarily throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His extensive travels and experiences inspired the publication of his travelogue, "Ung man söker världen" (Young Man Looking for the World), released in 1995 by Gong Gong förlag. Gertten made significant contributions to journalism, writing for prominent newspapers such as Arbetet until its closure in 2000, and later for Kvällsposten from 2001 to 2003.
Transitioning into television production, Gertten created a range of documentaries and entertainment programs for Swedish networks, including SVT, TV 4, and TV 3. His most notable project came in 2009 with the documentary "Bananas!" which investigated a legal battle between Dole Food Company and Nicaraguan banana plantation workers over allegations of health issues linked to the pesticide DBCP. Following the film's release in the U.S., Gertten's production company faced a defamation lawsuit from Dole. However, the court ultimately ruled in his favor, a victory that inspired his subsequent documentary, "Big Boys Gone Bananas!" released in 2011, which delves into the complexities of the legal dispute and the implications for journalism and activism. Gertten’s work remains influential in the realms of documentary filmmaking and social justice.
Filmography