Educational Media Reviews Online

The Sad Story of the Banana is the real story behind the cosmetic banana, the perfect flawless fruit that appears on tables everywhere. Although the sub title highlights dangers of pesticide abuse, the film covers broader issues regarding banana plantations in Central America. It uncovers areas such as extreme exploitation of man and earth, of trade wars and corruption, and destruction of society and the environment in poor countries by large international corporations. However, the story ends on a positive note, suggesting the possibility of a better future with global restructuring of agro-food system based on fair trade and environmentally friendly practices.

The video begins with a brief history of banana plantations in Costa Rica. The construction of railroads in the 1870s led to the transformation of rich tropical ecosystems into banana plantations inundated with chemicals but devoid of any other flora or fauna.

People living in the region earn a living growing bananas for three large multinational companies. These companies produce millions of tons of bananas through the use of cheap labor. The overproduction of bananas makes it difficult to exploit the European market leading to a cut in operating costs to maintain competitive prices. The burden of cost cutting has affected workers through pay reductions and layoffs. Interviews with workers and labor union activists reveal the appalling working conditions under which they are forced to work.

According to the workers, if they rebel or complain or engage in union activities, they risk losing everything as their lives are completely tied to the companies they work for. The impacts on their health due to constant use of chemicals in the plantations are discussed in detail by a labor physician indicating the gravity of the situation and the helplessness of the workers. The video moves onto other areas such as environmental hazards caused by widespread use of pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers. Regular use of chemicals throughout the years has resulted in a series of problems, including the contamination of drinking water, rivers and the sea, hazardous effects on plants and animals in the ecosystem, and the mutilation of land. This film provides a vivid picture of how people can destroy the balance in nature and create a chain of reactions that could lead to the destruction of an entire ecosystem.

However, the conclusion indicates hope for a better future. Small growers have begun co-operative activities where people are trained to be self sufficient, with the aid of international humanitarian organizations. Markets for their produce are being provided by the Swiss fair trade movement. They are gradually being able to regain their land with agricultural practices which are friendly to the environment.

The video quality is good, the narration is clear and English sub-titles are provided wherever necessary. The Sad Story of the Banana is highly recommended for those who are interested in world issues and environmental studies.