RSS
Home
Sacha Baron Cohen delivers sex, laughs and an outrageous role with 'Brüno'
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Sacha Baron Cohen in "Brüno"
Sacha Baron Cohen is the comedic equivalent of rapid dominance: the military strategy also known as "shock and awe." The British comedian has become famous for creating unforgettable, outrageous characters who like to fool unsuspecting people in interviews and other encounters. Baron Cohen garnered a cult following for his "Da Ali G Show" TV series. But he reached widespread international fame with the 2006 film "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," in which Baron Cohen plays Borat Sagdiyev, a hilariously ignorant reporter from Kazakhstan who goes to the United States to investigate American culture. "Borat," which pokes fun at various traditions and prejudices, became a major hit but also resulted in several lawsuits against Baron Cohen from people who claimed that they were tricked into being in the film and wanted to be compensated for feeling humiliated.
Baron Cohen might have to brace himself for more lawsuits, because "Brüno" has even more risqué and sexually explicit humor than "Borat" has. In "Brüno," Baron Cohen plays the title character, a gay Austrian fashionista who wants to do whatever it takes to become a global superstar. One of Brüno’s main tactics is to be a celebrity interviewer, which leads him to pull outlandish stunts, including going to a swingers’ party, interviewing a real-life terrorist, trying to seduce politician Ron Paul and making Paula Abdul sit on a man instead of a chair during an interview.
As with "Borat," "Brüno" has a mixture of scripted and unscripted scenes, actors and non-actors. And although Baron Cohen is notorious for offending people, even he has his limits. A scene with Brüno interviewing LaToya Jackson was cut after Michael Jackson's death. The scene included Brüno trying to persuade LaToya to call Michael on her cell phone, commenting to LaToya that she would sound like Michael if she made her voice higher, and seemingly getting Michael’s number from her cell phone and reciting the phone number out loud in German. To promote "Brüno," Baron Cohen has been traveling the world and making appearances as the Brüno character — usually wearing an outfit that’s revealing and/or flamboyant. Here’s what he had to say at the London and Los Angeles premieres of "Brüno."
Is the world ready for "Brüno"?
Yes. I hoping this will be the biggest Austrian film starring a gay guy since "Terminator 2."
What was the highlight of making this movie?
The highlight was getting to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger. I met him 18 years ago when he was in a Mr. Universe competition. He had to lose 18 ounces, so I just dropped to my knees and helped him out. [He sticks out his tongue.]
Sacha Baron Cohen in "Brüno"
Now that you’re famous, what’s next for you?
I really want to win a Nobel Prize. I’m also hoping to do some charity work with Naomi Campbell. That girl is like an inspiration, because she’s been in the business for 20 years and despite all the fame and success, she has remained a total bitch.
What’s the craziest thing that happened to you when you were filming "Brüno"?
We went to Syria, Palestine and Jordan — the whole of the Middle Earth. It was like absolutely terrifying, because there’s absolutely no sushi anywhere. It’s just hummus and pizza. The fashions shows are dreadful. It’s not surprising the way people live. If I opened up my closet, all I saw was black cloth and some sandals. I should blow myself up, too.
Sacha Baron Cohen in "Brüno"
You got a lot of people angry in this movie. Were you ever scared for your life or injured?
I actually got arrested in Milan. I was in jail for a couple of days. Normally, when I’m led away by 12 guys dressed as policemen, it’s like a birthday treat. This was very different. The insides and conditions [in jail] were über-gross …
What do you think of the "Borat" movie?
It had a very offensive stereotype of a foreigner. This ["Brüno"] is a much more important movie. It’s the most powerful documentary since "The Lion King."
Photo credits: Universal Pictures
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
