Controversy Surrounds Sacha Baron Cohen’s Upcoming Film
Liberal supporters and activists advocating for Palestine are threatening to boycott Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film, Ali G: Who Iz I?, featuring his comedic character Ali G, which is set to release in October.
As the film approaches its debut under Amazon/MGM Studios, leftist groups are launching an email campaign urging theaters not to show the Ali G revival, labeling the character as a racist portrayal of Black individuals, according to reports.
This latest project is yet another entry in Cohen’s array of mockumentary-style comedies, claiming to track Ali G’s journey as he attempts a comeback and reignite his struggling rap career.
A group named NewsCord is spearheading the campaign, aiming to send about 37,000 emails to cinemas warning against screening the new Ali G feature.
“Black British comedians referred to the character as ‘an alibi for racism’ back in 2000,” the organization stated. “Author Jeanette Winterson questioned how it differs from the Black and White Minstrels, and Kazakh and Arab groups have documented the negative impact associated with it. Sony Pictures UK markets it with the tagline ‘He iz back. We ain’t liable.’ Ultimately, the choice to book screenings rests with the cinema chains.”
Afua Hirsch, a British writer, commented via Substack that the character no longer resonates today. “Black people don’t dress like that anymore. Even white people trying to imitate Black people don’t speak like that now. Sexualizing Black women and ridiculing working-class women isn’t accepted anymore. Baron Cohen’s so-called ‘humor’ is just outdated amalgamation of these issues,” she noted.
Cohen anticipated the backlash and even shared a quip on social media while promoting the film. He remarked, “In an age where a comedian’s career can be cut short by one un-PC joke, I thought I’d play it safe and bring this guy back.”
It seems, though, that he might be misreading the situation regarding the potential consequences of such jokes; cultural sensitivities have evolved in recent years.
Despite the controversy stirred by the email campaign, the cinema chains in the U.K. appear unfazed, with none announcing intentions to bow to pressure and refuse to screen the film.
In fact, a Danish movie theater chain, Nordisk Film Biografer (NFBIO), has publicly defended the film.
As noted, the chain issued a statement saying:
We fully recognize that Sacha Baron Cohen’s satire and characters have sparked debate over the years. While characters like Ali G can be perceived as offensive or provocative, we adhere to a fundamental principle of offering a diverse film program. Film is an art form that varies widely, and the cinema space is a venue for a range of cinematic expressions, including those that challenge or provoke thought.
We do not view it as our role to censor or reject films that are legally distributed for adult audiences simply based on moral or satirical critiques. Cohen undeniably divides opinions: for some, he crosses all boundaries; for others, he presents satire where everyone is subject to scrutiny. We see no reason to reject his film, just as we do not dismiss other films that certain individuals or groups may find objectionable. We trust our audience to make informed choices about what films they wish to see or avoid.
The activists’ efforts may ultimately be futile, as it seems quite probable that Ali G: Who Iz I? will debut on October 23 and likely fade into obscurity without making a significant impact in cinematic history.
