Discuss: Do Sacha Baron Cohen's Antics Bother You?
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Casting, New Releases, Celebrities and Controversy, 20th Century Fox, Movie Marketing, Politics
Call it performance art, savage prank behavior or audacious social satire. Call it whatever you want, but there's no question Sacha Baron Cohen is at it again. As Erik reported back in March, the Borat star began surfacing as his Bruno alter-ego in a variety of absurd situations likely intended for the movie starring the effeminate European character. Wearing chains at a Kansas church? Check. Weirding out Ben Affleck? Check. Airport dancing? Yep. Now, bizarre reports of a cage match in Arkansas, where attendees paid for admission expecting to watch a fight and instead witnessed two men get naked and lock lips, suggests Cohen is still at it, more than three months down the line. Not only that, but he appears to have pulled the stunt twice: First on June 5 at the Four States Fair Grounds in Texarkana, then again at Fort Smith's convention center, where a character named "Straight Dave" apparently selected a planted audience member to challenge him. Whether or not you agree with Cohen's brash style -- he claims to take inspiration from Michael Moore's stunts --
the actor definitely constructs his gags with very specific ideas in mind. Borat took a stab at American stereotypes of foreign cultures, but Bruno looks like it's geared more towards attacking homophobia -- specifically as it manifests in middle America. However, it's hard to say whether or not such excessive spectacles will manage to correct misinformed perspectives or reinforce them.
The latter possibility means that Cohen is a dangerous talent, but that doesn't mean he lacks the conviction that he's cooking up something insightful. In a Rolling Stone interview, he expressed surprise that audiences would have a problem with his fake Kazakhstani journalist, claiming that "the mere purpose of it was to allow people to bring out their own prejudices." Sure, he can bring them out, but does he have the power to make them go away?
Your thoughts? Does Bruno serve the right purpose or should Cohen call it quits?
Ron Weaseley Has Swine Flu
Quick List: Romance for Boys
Christian Bale's Rollercoaster Career_thumbnail.jpg)
Michael Bay Trashes Megan Fox, Talks 'Transformers 3' and 3D_thumbnail.jpg)
First Look: Stewart, Fanning and More Are 'The Runaways'
_thumbnail.jpg){kind=spacer}
_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg){kind=spacer}
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
7-08-2008 @ 10:01PM
Jay said...
I'm not a fan of the idea of confrontational comedy. I don't like people who purposely create situations that annoy people for the sake of comedy.
With that said, Cohen really did tread a fine line of delivering great comedy with Borat.
He was the one being funny, it was coming from him rather than the unsuspecting victim. The Pamela Anderson scene did feel like confrontational comedy, I didn't like that scene in particular.
Reply
7-08-2008 @ 10:19PM
MCW said...
I may be missing an important fact, but the scene with Pamela seemed like an elaborate set up, just because of her crappy acting. I haven't seen Borat since it came out in theaters, but that's just what I thought.
7-09-2008 @ 7:35AM
Maverick Saturn said...
It was a set up, however, take this, only little bits they knew they wouldn't get away with they had planned, putting Pamela in a bag = Planned.
Putting Pamela in a bag in front of many unsuspecting people and security gaurds who also had no idea what was going on = not planned ;)
Lady of the night featuring as a love interest in the movie = planned.
Lady of the night turning up at a posh residence = Not planned.
They knew that some bits would be initially planned, but other bits had to remain natural, because seeing the looks on peoples faces is a classic.
7-09-2008 @ 12:11PM
Jonathan Kuhn said...
I'm going to disagree with Maverick and say that the security guards were in on the Pamela thing as well. Otherwise, they are the worst security guards ever.
The fans waiting in line, however, had no idea what was going on.
http://www.slowclapchildren.blogspot.com
7-08-2008 @ 10:23PM
MCW said...
As far as Sacha's pranks go, I think they are fair game - just as long as no one gets hurt. I think he definitely needs a security guard though, because he is going to get his butt whooped one of these days.
I look forward to his next movie, to see if he can outdo his Borat antics. I like seeing people's baffled faces on screen. The one scene that always pops into my head is when he uses the bathroom in a bag and carries it out to the dinner table. I realize it is sick, but it's also very funny. I would be cracking up if I were Sacha, I am amazed he is able to keep his composure during these stunts.
Anything's better than another role like his in Sweeney Todd. Miracle Elixir sucks.
Reply
7-08-2008 @ 11:26PM
dana said...
Cohen is, I think, one of the most innovative and daring comedians working today, so no way should he go away. I assume after this movie he'll move permanently to more scripted comedy, as he'll have run out of characters (so far), but for now, I'm more than glad to have him around.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 12:48AM
se7en said...
C'mon! He's not bothering me, and if he did, I'd laugh after I got messed with.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 3:44AM
Kadzulai said...
In my country, we would say that Sacha Baron Cohen is the ass of a donkey.
The spirit of the meanness does not make the funny.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 5:07AM
bongo123 said...
how people cant spot these pranks a mile off i have no idea, and even if you didnt spot it as a prank, id end up pissing myself laughing to much at the surreallness of it
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 7:38AM
Maverick Saturn said...
I adore sacha, hes untouchable, and the man has balls of steel, the only people that wouldn't like him are either bores, got fooled and so, feel stupid themselves or simply wish they could be as daring as him.
There are few people I know that could be that daring, that outgoing and that assertive.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:15AM
Robin said...
Without his "antics" I never would have had the pleasure of seeing his performance in front of the country western bar (in Arizona) about throwing a certain race/religious group "down the well." That's enough for me to be on board for at least a few more years.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 8:15AM
Robin said...
I meant, "In Arizona?" I don't remember if that's where it was :)
7-09-2008 @ 10:19AM
Ray said...
Sacha Baron Cohen bothers me. Period.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 10:53AM
Dekionplexis said...
Cohen is extremely brave, he's pioneering a new form of 'fearless' comedy. Pushing back boundaries. He's a national treasure and I support him in everything he does.
http://dekionplexis.blogspot.com/
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 11:05AM
ECWaenigma said...
I don't think I would compare Cohen to Michael Moore. His "confrontational" comedy is more akin to the spirit of Andy Kaufman. Somewhere up in heaven, Andy's smiling and nodding in approval.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 12:59PM
Ghonious said...
Cohen is hack - period. He is about as funny as a man sticking his head into the ass of another is. You laugh once but you don't go back yet you feel a mysterious loss of integrity. That's the Q-Factor with Cohen that people overthink, you've just lost a bit of your soul and struggle to intellectualize where it went. Everytime you laugh at Sasha Baron Cohen a kitten dies.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 2:06PM
Mimi said...
I despise Cohen's brand of rude confrontational comedy, which targets the naive and sincere.
He makes my skin crawl.
Reply
7-09-2008 @ 3:02PM
GL said...
I think he's funny, but he's certainly isn't innovative or overly brave.
I also think a prank where you snooker people into paying for something and give them something else, which you specifically think they won't like, isn't all that funny.
Reply
7-11-2008 @ 7:02PM
Mitchell Mullen said...
you american bloggers are remarkably humourless (particularly the bloke who runs this site).
it's a good thing most of the movie-going public in your own country are not of your ilk. otherwise "borat" wouldn't have earned the 200 million it did.
sasha baron cohen is a genius.
Reply
7-18-2008 @ 9:24PM
ernie t said...
Cohen's secret new caharacter is a catholic priest- he offers cheese and ritz chrackers instead of communion wafers, and chardonay instead of scramental wine. There is lattes in the confession booth, the alter boys are all men in tights-no suits with consent ya know-he preforms miricals in the audience, feeds a crowd with a fish and a loaf, passes the plate and berates the cheapscates WELCOME FATHER ALI HUSSAIN
The best is the scene dressed as the pope---More to come--interested eh, Reporting live from my home in Kazachstan-Borat S. Yackzemesh
Reply