Screening of Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat Canceled Amid Racism Controversy

Over the weekend, a screening of Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat was called off, following rising accusations of racism surrounding the English actor. Reports indicate that there are growing calls for his new Ali G movie, set to be released in October, to be pulled from theaters. Critics claim that the Ali G character perpetuates harmful anti-black stereotypes.

On Monday, additional details surfaced about Cohen’s outspoken support for speech censorship, including speech deemed racist. He stated, “This is not about limiting anyone’s free speech. This is about giving people, including some of the most reprehensible people on earth, the biggest platform in history to reach a third of the planet. Freedom of speech is not freedom of reach… We should not be giving bigots and pedophiles a free platform to amplify their views and target their victims.”

Interestingly, it seems Cohen may not have anticipated that his own words could someday be used against him. Now, having called for the censorship of “racism,” he finds himself without a firm stance to defend his own right to free speech or artistic expression.

Many view Cohen’s Ali G character as embodying racism. Therefore, based on his own criteria, perhaps he should not have access to “the biggest platform in history.” After all, what’s larger than having your film shown in countless theaters globally and available on Amazon Prime?

It’s worth noting that no one is infringing on his free speech. As Cohen himself remarked, “Freedom of speech is not freedom of reach.”

Now, the allegations of racism are circling back to Cohen’s 2006 film Borat.

Last Saturday, Vidiots had planned to host a screening of the movie, featuring producer Monica Levinson. Reports say the event was expected to attract a full house but was abruptly canceled. There was no official announcement, and the screening was quietly removed from the website—no word of it being postponed or anything.

Before the planned screening, there apparently was significant backlash about showing the film. Complaints ranged from criticizing Cohen as a “Zionist” to labeling Borat as a “racist” caricature. One individual involved noted, “the activists won.”

It’s an ironic situation, really. This seems to be a case of the censorious facing the consequences of the censorship they advocate. Cohen, after years of championing for such censorship, is experiencing firsthand what it can lead to.

What authoritarian figures like Cohen often fail to grasp is that giving people the authority to censor “racism” leads to subjective interpretations of what constitutes that term, subsequently targeting works like Borat.

I think I can express what many “normal” people might feel in this situation… it’s kind of humorous, honestly.