bob the moo
The date stamp on this user comment probably indicates what finally got me around to watching this film. It was only a few days after Trump got sworn in as President – something that happened partly due to a campaign where he ran on the basis of his greatness as a businessman and how that is what the country needs (although this suggests his win was about him, whereas really I think it was more a matter of the DNC losing it rather than him winning it). Recent politics of course are not part of the film, but it does have an extra chill to it now, since it does show what he is like a businessman.What we see here is his ego and confidence front and center; demeaning and insulting the residents, riding his power for all it can get him, and generally being a boorish, classless type with no real consideration for the locals or their environment, other than him saying the right things in his usual way. The film doesn't really try to pin everything onto Trump, but it is very clear that he is very much in this deal and that the style of delivery is all him. Baxter contrasts that nicely with the people living with this development; I don't think he sugar coats them or paints them as saints – although the use of Local Hero is smart – instead they are just allowed to be themselves and that in itself is enough to make them look like saints next to Trump and his people.Technically it is not a great film. It is a bit messy in the structure, and the camera-work leaves a lot to be desired at times due to shadows, poor framing, and other such niggles. However most of Baxter's work is that of journalist and he does this well, and the nature of the film means the lack of polish can be more than forgiven. Anyway, the story it tells, and the impression of Trump that it leaves is what makes it work – and now that he is President, the film becomes that much more impacting, and hopefully will gain some more eyes as a result of his new job.
Steve Pulaski
Documentaries exist to tell a story that may have been neglected by the mainstream media or to reveal more information about a popular issue. They're creatures that can be erected from almost any subject, given a band's new lead singer, school bullying, healthcare, a sex-scandal, a critique on a president, or even a fast food restaurant. You've Been Trumped follows a story that, specifically, we may not have heard about, but we certainly can't be too surprised is coming to light. This is yet another case of a multi-billion dollar corporation attempting to get the better of the smaller man, further emphasizing personal gain and greatly limiting those ill-equipped with the ability to defend themselves.The film focuses on American billionaire extraordinare Donald Trump, who in 2007, decided to carry out plans to construct an eighteen-hole golf course, 1,500 townhouses, and a five star hotel all on the gorgeous land of Aberdeen, Scotland. The land was a conservation area, with sand dunes that were claimed to have been there for thousands of years, posing enormous environmental controversy. Some of Scotland's purest, most unrefined land would soon become home to conventional landscapes. I stand with the late, great George Carlin on the idea of golf courses; why must we devote millions of beautiful acres to a game? But Trump feels it must be done, and is willing to get it done even if he has to deliberately drive local resident/farmer Michael Forbes out of the area. Forbes' home is located right outside where the hotel would go, and he feels that seeing his "pig sty" farm would appall his customers. What Trump claims to be brutally honest in his remarks about Forbes' farm that bears years of history comes off as nothing but pompous babble that shows his ignorance and stunning sourness more-so than any figure would seemingly allow. We see how far Trump's humiliation and persistency will go; he winds up cutting off Forbes' electricity and water.Director Anthony Baxter chronicles the long, multimillion dollar battle between Trump, Forbes, the Scotland government, and the environmental agencies, who Trump feels he has smitten, when really, they couldn't be more opposed to the construction. What we get is a story that was definitely fit for documentation. This is yet another entry in the line of documentaries I've seen that show depressing corporate manipulation in order to make more of themselves and less of everyone else. I recently watched a terribly underrated Swedish documentary called Big Boys Gone Bananas!*, which detailed the story of an indie filmmaker who tried to expose the banana-giant Dole for using an illegal pesticide on their banana crop. What followed was an endless array of court cases, appeals, lawsuits, media trouble, slandering, etc, showing just what happens when indie cinema crashed with a corporate tycoon. It was a documentary that completely exercised its first amendment right, and showed how it was being taken away in a particular situation.If there's one thing that stuns me about You've Been Trumped, it's not Trump's bitter, remorseless bigotry, it's how people are reacting to it. Did you honestly expect Donald Trump a charming persona. Should he? Due to his highly-acclaimed status, I'd say definitely. But no, he's a businessman, a cut-throat one I may add. That doesn't make his actions anymore justifiable or acceptable, but are businesspeople the kind you paint with the brush of charm? Trump's arrogant and grossly disrespectful attitude is one to particularly loathe, but given the fact that he basks in the pompous light of attention and relentlessly competes for headlines, whether it be a million-dollar donation to a charity in exchange for the president's birth certificate or a presidential nominee, it isn't one that is desperately hard to believe.For a debut filmmaker, Baxter could not have opened his film career with a more deeper and poignant work if he tried. There is a point in the documentary where he is even handcuffed and taken into police custody; a scene which becomes a wraparound for this film, showing the unbelievable "every man for himself" battleground Trump's presence in Scotland has turned the entire community.It should also be noted that Baxter serves as the cinematographer here as well, often painting Scotland as the giant landscape of beauty it has always been known for. It's so beautiful and incalculably valuable, we hate to see the land lost nothing but greedy, uncompromising tactics from a billionaire suit. While this is undoubtedly a documentary with a relatively unsurprising story, it's nonetheless a story that deserves to be told through the competent lens of Baxter.Starring: Donald Trump and Michael Forbes. Directed by: Anthony Baxter.
aba139
This film is a documentary about how predatory capitalism stile, with the help of the government, effects people, environment and science.The best thing you can do to the wonderful profession of film making is: watch this film and give human decency, integrity, bravery, skill and modesty a chance to catch you.It's a great film. Every minute watching worth while. But don't keep the experience and your thoughts about it to yourself. We need to stop to give our attention and listening to people like Trump and this film made me realize that it is very important to shift what we have: attention, time, money and action to what we want more of.
