Exploring Sacha Baron Cohen's Provocative Comedy Journey: Unveiling 'Borat,' 'The Brothers Grimsby,' 'Ali G,' and 'Brüno'

Sacha Baron Cohen is known for his comedy that often makes people feel uncomfortable, and he has faced criticism for it for almost twenty years.

Rebel Wilson recently spoke out about Baron Cohen, claiming that he has been trying to stop the release of her new memoir Rebel Rising. In the book, she refers to him as an "asshole" based on their experience working together on the film The Brothers Grimsby in 2016.

Wilson, 44, took to Instagram Story on Monday, March 25 to address the issue. He asserted that he will not allow himself to be intimidated or silenced by expensive lawyers or crisis managers. The individual he referred to as an 'asshole' in a single chapter of his book is Sasha [sic] Baron Cohen.

Baron Cohen, through his representative, responded to Wilson's accusations by denying them. In a statement to We, the rep stated that despite the importance of speaking out, the claims made by Wilson are unequivocally false. They mentioned the presence of substantial evidence such as contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from individuals involved in The Brothers Grimsby production, which directly contradict Wilson's claims.

Sacha Baron Cohen Controversial Comedy History

Toni Anne Barson Archive/WireImage; Cover Images (2)

Here’s a deep dive into the various scandals and controversies involving Baron Cohen:

Da Ali G Show

Baron Cohen gained recognition through his appearance on Da Ali G Show, a sketch comedy series that he created and premiered on the U.K.'s Channel 4 in 2000. The show's second and third seasons were also shown on HBO in the U.S.

One of the characters portrayed by Baron Cohen on the show was Ali G, who pretended to be an expert on British hip-hop. Ali G spoke with a unique accent and interacted with people in interviews without them knowing his true identity.

Some Black comedians, like Curtis Walker, were not happy with the character of Ali G, finding him "quite offensive." Walker shared in 2000 that he didn't approve of a white guy pretending to be a black guy, especially when it involves perpetuating negative stereotypes.

Borat’s Famous Song "In My Country There Is Problem"

Da Ali G Show also brought us the unforgettable character of Borat Sagdiyev, the Kazakh journalist that Baron Cohen is most known for.

Before making his big screen debut in 2006, Borat was first introduced by Baron Cohen on Da Ali G Show. Borat became known for his controversial comments, often sparking controversy for his misogynistic and antisemitic remarks.

In a 2004 episode of the show, Borat performed a song titled “In My Country There Is Problem.” Despite Baron Cohen being Jewish himself, the lyrics included lines like: “Throw the Jew down the well / So my country can be free / You must grab him by his horns / Then we have a big party.”

The Anti-Defamation League sent a letter to address their concerns regarding the song. The letter mentioned that they recognized the scene as an effort to demonstrate how easily regular people can be persuaded to participate in antisemitic behavior. However, they expressed worry that some viewers may have missed the intended irony. They emphasized the importance of being sensitive when trying to shed light on issues like bigotry and prejudice.

Borat Movie Dupes Interview Subjects

A spokesperson for HBO responded by stating that through his alter-egos, he delivers a clear satire that highlights people's ignorance and prejudice, similar to how All in the Family did years ago.

Borat shot to fame with the debut of the movie Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan in 2006. This film won Baron Cohen a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Naturally, controversy was not far behind.

Several people who appeared in the mockumentary alongside Borat, as he traveled to the US, filed lawsuits against the movie producers, claiming they were deceived about the nature of their participation. Fortunately, all of the lawsuits were later dropped and did not proceed further.

Dharma Arthur, a news producer for ABC affiliate WAPT in Jackson, Mississippi, shared that she was tricked by Baron Cohen and mistakenly featured Borat on their show, which led to her losing her job.

In a letter to Newsweek, Arthur expressed how her boss lost confidence in her skills and began doubting her decisions because of the incident. She also expressed disappointment in how Baron Cohen, who causes harm with his actions, is celebrated as a comedic genius.

Borat vs. Jessica Simpson

Before the film was even out, the Anti-Defamation League expressed concerns. They acknowledged that the movie is meant to be a parody, but warned that it could potentially fuel prejudices for some individuals.

During the 2006 MTV Movie Awards, Baron Cohen dressed as Borat and made a joke about Jessica Simpson's "camel toe." The joke did not receive a positive response, but the comedian stood by his comment during an interview with GQ shortly after.

Brüno Film Accused of Homophobia

Baron Cohen, speaking as Borat, expressed confusion over Mrs. Simpson's reaction to his speeches. He mentioned being extremely complimentary about her movie The Lords [Dukes] of Hazzard and even remarked on her beautiful mouth, which he could see through her denim shorts.

Baron Cohen also introduced one of his Da Ali G Show characters to the big screen in 2009.

In the movie Brüno, Baron Cohen takes on the role of Brüno Gehard, a gay Austrian fashion reporter. Brüno travels to the United States with the goal of achieving fame and recognition in the American entertainment industry.

Some activist groups were unhappy with Baron Cohen's flamboyant performance, despite him being heterosexual.

GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, mentioned in a statement that the filmmakers aimed to address and confront homophobia through satire. However, the film unintentionally perpetuates negative stereotypes about gay individuals, which goes against the filmmakers' original intentions.

Borat Sequel Triggers Lawsuit From Holocaust Survivor

The statement expressed concern about the movie's portrayal of gay stereotypes and situations, which could further fuel discrimination and bullying towards the LGBTQ+ community. It highlighted how the film may contribute to the anti-gay lexicon of slurs and potentially worsen the experiences of teenagers who are already facing harassment for their sexual orientation.

The creators of the 2020 sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm faced a fraud lawsuit for including an interview with Holocaust survivor Judith Dim Evans. Unfortunately, Evans passed away before the movie came out. However, her family filed a lawsuit claiming she did not give consent to be in the film.

The lawsuit was later dismissed and the movie was dedicated in her honor.

Editor's P/S:

The article