Gay Hollywood Comes Out ... Against 'Bruno'

sto pwriting too much u assholes who one would give a shit to read it!!!!

I was always thoroughly entertained by the Bruno character on Ali G, so I couldn't wait to see what brilliance Sacha Baron Cohen came up with this time. I was sorely disappointed, not only did I leave the theater upset, but also very disappointed in Sacha Baron Cohen.

I understood that Baron Cohen was trying to expose homophobia in America, but, was he really? And if so, then I am absolutely outraged by his hypocrisy.

Being a fan of Baron Cohen I have been trying to find out as much info as possible about the real man. Ever since Borat and Ali G, he has always been somewhat of an interesting mystery to me. I found out a lot of interesting info about this person. In his own personal life, he is an observant Orthodox Jew, he is quiet, shy and highly intelligent. He has dual Israeli-British citizenship and he is of Ashkenazi and Mithrazi Jewish decent. His great grandmother was a famous German prima ballarina and he is fluent in Polish, Hebrew and Persian. I read in a recent article how he hasn't married Isla Fisher yet because she has not converted to Orthodox Judaism. I thought he sounded like a pretty cool person, before I saw his new film, that is.

I was genuinely confused if Baron Cohen really was trying to expose homophobia or if he was actually trying to mock the gay life style and community. If I wasn't aware of Baron Cohen's personal life, I would probably tend to think that he was trying to accomplish the former, but since he himself is a member of a particular branch of Judaism that condemns homosexuality, I truly started to wonder if he was just being an outright hypocrite or if the joke is actually not on homophobic, conservative America but rather progressive, liberal hollywood.

If Baron Cohen was trying to expose homophobia in a America, (which I have no doubt, exists), but if that is indeed the case, then he is just being a blatant hypocrite. Now, I have no problem with what people believe is morally right or wrong in their own personal lives as long as you don't shove your beliefs down others' throats, but if you are going to mock other people in other countries based on their religious beliefs when you yourself practice and preach the same line of morality in your own private life, then I think that is just disgustingly hypocritical. What bothers me is that he just targets Americans. He was trying to make all Americans look like douche bags from the Jerry Springer audience. Unfortunately, and wrongly so, many Europeans have these stereotypes about Americans. I believe this movie would only enforce these horrible stereotypes. Growing up in Europe, I for one know for a fact that many Europeans think that all Americans are homophobic, evangelical Christians right out of the cast of Deliverance. Its rather insulting and an insult to my intelligence as an American citizen who has lived all over the world, speaks 4 languages and grew up in a mixed Jewish/Christian household with gay family members. Is this what the rest of the world really thinks of me? Is this how my European friends really see me? All because I was born in the United States?

Now, I wouldn't have had the problem with the message Bruno was trying to convey if he bothered to expose the homophobia that exists all over the world. It exists rampantly among the poorer classes in Great Britain, neo-nazism has revived two-fold in some parts of Austria, and in his own home country of Israel, homophobia is as much alive there as it is in our own backyards. There was just one scene where he gets chased down by a pack of angry Orthodox Jews for walking around in a sexualized version of their traditional dress, and acting flamboyantly gay, but why didn't Baron Cohen go further with that part of the world and the subject of homosexuality? Was it because he was too scared that he would genuinely get killed by religious extremists? Or is it because he believes that it is okay for people who share his religion to condemn homosexuality but not people of other faiths. I just didn't get the point to this movie. Why is it just Americans that have become the butt of his joke? Homophobia is not just an American problem. Its a problem that exists in every part of the world.

I also couldn't blame the hunters for being scared out of their minds. They had no idea who this person was and he kept acting weird and making sexual comments. Heck, I'm a woman, but if I was sleeping in the woods in the middle of the night and some strange naked man just walked into my tent, looking for sex, and kept doing it, I would be so scared. It wasn't funny. That has nothing to do with homophobia, the possibility of rape exists in both genders and in any form of sexuality. Think about it. That was sexual harassment. There were other maneuevers that Baron Cohen could have used to expose homophobia instead of scaring 3 malnourished and very poor hunters. I didn't think that was fair at all.

Other scenes that were pointless and just not funny was the scene with the black audience. I felt that he was mocking black America. The scene at the swingers party was tedious and really had nothing to do with the movie other than shock and disgust us. The portrayal of gay relationships and sex was rather degrading to the gay community. That scene with his bouncing penis and talking uretha was just too much and the comments about Jamie Lynn Spears fetus were rather malicious. This movie was like a walk through hell. I hate to say it, but it was true.

Let me change the topic just a bit. Let's talk about charity. Why does Baron Cohen mock charity so often? He does so repeatedly, even on the Ali G. show. A person with a conscience wouldn't do that. I have no doubt that Mr. Baron Cohen's intentions are bad. And weren't gays excluded from the making of this film? That's a bad sign.

But what will be the effect of the movie? You see, that's a separate question. Bad as SBC's intentions may be, that doesn't mean that the film will have a bad effect. One hopes it won't. I really don't know. That's why my eyes are glued to the media right now, looking for signs of an effect on the general public.

And, by the way, did someone describe Hollywood as "Communist"? Oh. Come. On. That's just silly. Hollywood are as capitalist as any group of people could possibly be. In fact, that is their major problem.

Those that don't get the joke are the butts of the joke. Come on kiddies it's not rocket surgery!!!

Sadly I think the problem lies in the fact that there are plenty of REAL homophobes out there who WON'T take this movie for what it is. These idiots will watch this movie and use it to perpetuate their hate fear and stereotypes. THAT is the real issue here. When it all comes down to it though, I will most likely see this movie. Let's laugh at the homophobes IN the movie...like we did at the sexist frat boys in the Borat movie.

Why can't gays just be gay and stop making a big deal of it? I'm against proposition 8, two people should be able to marry regardless of their gender. Being defensive and uptight only takes the gays out of mainstream, not good.
POSTED BY: RICKK | JUNE 21, 2009, 6:57AM CDT

Because. Rickk, the world makes a big deal of it. People in this country are still being killed for being gay. Thats a very big deal. Gays are very much NOT in the mainstream in the straight worlds eyes.

Kevin H:

From the MPAA:

"There are no special qualifications for Board membership, except that the members must have a shared parenthood experience, must be possessed of an intelligent maturity, and most of all, have the capacity to put themselves in the role of most American parents so they can view a film and apply a rating that most parents would find suitable and helpful in aiding their decisions about their children and what movies they see."
http://www.mpaa.org/ratings_howrated.asp

I don't see anything about conservatism or Christianity being prerequisites.

Now, what's scary?

If gay's and lesbians had equal civil rights under the law, then perhaps a derogatory albeit satirical depiction like this might not seem so hurtful. Imagine if Cohen portrayed an African American or someone of Jewish descent in a movie that made fun of people's stereotypes and preconception of those subcultures? And yes you can only imagine that because neither of those films would ever get green-lit.

O.K., to echo earlier comments, IT'S A FREAKIN' MOVIE!!!!!! I live in Arkansas and I don't talk like Jeff Foxworthy, dress like Daisy Duke or eat grits with possum gravy like the Clampett's. Should I take up arms against "The Dukes of Hazzard", "The Beverly Hillybilly's" and "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector"? I LOVE "The Waterboy" and quote the movie all the time. Same with "Oh, Brother Where Art Thou" and "Sling Blade". Laugh at, laugh with be completely offended or not by it, but don't think that EVERY redneck, rightwinger that sees this movie is going to round up all the Bubba's they know and go on a "fairy" hunt after seeing it!! Since when does anyone in the rest of the country care about what the south thinks with regard to anything now that "American Idol" is off for the season anyway? I love this counrty for the fact that we are so diverse and that is what makes us the great people that WE are, all of us, not just certain groups of us, but ALL of us, white, black, Asian, gay, straight, Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, butcher, baker, candlestick maker. When we give importance to our differences it does nothing but make them that much more apparent and gives them much more weight to divide us than it should. I don't think sexuality, color or geographical location have as much to do with who a person is as they, themselves, allow it to. Hopefully, those that let movies so easily sway their opions are just as ignorant about how to get dressed, turn a door knob or find the remote, and won't be able to get out and see the movie in the first place.

The gay community in general really should be thinking that their "culture" is not amoral. In this day in age, no more so than heterosexual. Hetero's don't have parades claiming they are proud to be heterosexual. If the gay's make a big deal about this film all they are doing is drawing attention to what they feel is still an uphill battle in gaining acceptance and being considered the same as hetero "mainstream". Think mainstream and be mainstream by not having parades, not defending your cause etc..

All the gay community is doing is help Sasha promote his film. This is a very clever producer, star who is getting gays to feed into his hands. Why can't gays just be gay and stop making a big deal of it? I'm against proposition 8, two people should be able to marry regardless of their gender. Being defensive and uptight only takes the gays out of mainstream, not good.

i think that the point he is trying to make is that the movie IS too sick and stereotyped for the world, esp. USA. young people in The States won't get the humour ---> that he is pointing at the crazy amounts of homophobia that still rules the world...their own homophobia. after the movie people will probably get even more homophobic and that's what's CRAZY. that's his point. just as the people in this article. And it must be changed. it's important to make fun of prejudice in order to enlighten it, and he MUST make it too much and way over the top. In order for us to accept gays and other minorities (like immigrants, i.e. BORAT) you have to make movies like these I think.

Bruno is Austrian, Bruno is an Idiot, Bruno is disgusting, and Bruno is gay... That does not mean his homosexuality makes him a disgusting foreign idiot. He's an idiot from another country who is gay, and sometimes disgusting. Do you see my point? Bruno, in many respects, holds a mirror to the outrageous behavior propagated by the gay, euro trash, designer couture, cultures propagated by those various groups respectfully... and it's hilarious, get over it.

I'm all for rereleasing Blazing Saddles. Which makes me think. Do you thnk it would have helped or hurt the presidential campaign of Senator Thompson. That guy dropped the N bomb all over that movie. Unrelated note. I'm really getting pissed with PETA's craziness. The President killed a fly. A FLY. This world is going down the toilet. I'm sick of everybody worrying about everbody's feelings. I'm with Ester. Sanity hit it right on the head. If you can't laugh at yourself and the stereotypes that are associated with it, then what is funny. I don't want to see comedy that has to be politically correct. There is a reason that comedians like Lisa Lappenelli have sell out shows. The exploit stereotypes and are hilarious doing it.

Sanity Assassin..you nailed it Right on the head! We've become a nation of whiners and stuffy brooms up our asses people! Politically correct can kiss my tookus.. We ALL love to laugh at jokes ..even if its about stereotypes..I don't care who you are..we still do tell them..and we still laugh at em..MOST OF US! Most of the people bitchin...prolly tell em as well, in the confines of their homes and around close friends...

ITS MOVIE..Get over it..I think they should re-release AIRPLANE and BLAZING SADDLES...yeah..that will fire up some butts!

smooches,
Ester

Views From A Broad
http://estergoldberg.com

It's funny how people stupidly react to this kind of material. Baron Cohen is NOT making fun of gay people (understanding "gay" as a man who feels attracted to other men instead of women). He's making fun of the ridiculous, "diva" kind of gay people who want to call attention at all costs by acting like a girly and grotesque version of themselves, as if that would make people accept them.

Hey, I'm a mexican (so I hope you'll excuse my bad english) and I know how it feels to be the target of minority jokes. When I see a cartoon where a drunk and half-asleep mexican with a mustache and a hat is selling oranges in the streets I can't stop laughing, and that's because I know and above all UNDERSTAND that they're making fun of the stereotype of a mexican, not mexicans themselves.

But again, a big part of Baron Cohen's success in humor lies on people's ignorance, including, in this case, both homophobic and people who don't understand it's all a reflect of society's corruption.

So, if you're a man who likes men or a woman who likes women, but you accept yourself just like you are, you shouldn't be offended. BUT if you are a homosexual man or woman who acts like an attention whore pretending to be the oppossite sex like you were a caricature of yourself, this movie is making fun of you. And you should be ashamed.

* At an event honoring "Milk" screenwriter Dustin Lance Black on Sunday, numerous gay celebrities -- some of whom had seen an early cut of the film -- compared Baron Cohen’s depiction to a white person appearing in blackface. *

Yeah, like Dustin Lance Black is a great role model.

but seen too oft, familiar with face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.

I keep thinking of the rodeo scene in Borat - and how scarily idiotic the audience looked as Borat mangled the national anthem. It was so effectively uncomfortable because you sympathize with Borat - and yet, for an American it was a very unflattering picture of patriotism and xenophobia.

That's the beauty of Baron Cohen's humor - it calls out the "haters" and shows them under a microscope. From what I've heard about this movie, is the reaction he gets from the homophobic Southern rednecks is real-world scary. At this time, when public opinion for gay rights is swinging back and forth, I hope this movie will push it forward. And for the young straight male audience, it doesn't hurt that Eminem is in on the joke.

I had the privilege of seeing this movie last night as part of a marketing focus group.
And as a gay guy I can say it was the funniest thing I have ever seen, and in no way was I offended by it.
Will it offend or upset certain demographics of the population…………hell yes!!!!!
But the gays defiantly get off a lot lighter then the people that it is targeting (the rednecks, the self righteous black crowd, showbiz parents etc etc)

These stuck up gay guys that are getting their panties in a knot, should have faith in the general population (although I understand why they don’t after prop 8) , and that they know when they walk out of the cinema they will know that not all (if any) use champagne bottles, exercise bikes and fire extinguishers as sex toys

Question: How many shows are made about dumb, rednecky, macho or nerdy heterosexuals, that are either written by or portrayed by homosexuals, foisted on us over the last few decades?

Heteros are often portrayed as psychos, criminals, deviates, rapists, wifebeaters, child molesters, scammers, bullies... etc. and while many of these minorities ARE heterosexual in real life, they hopefully represent a small percentage of this class, even though these stereotypes seem to make up a large portion of current dramatic portrayals.

While the archetypal battle of the sexes now includes gay, lesbian, transgender & animal lovers besides straights, how about giving some props to heterophobia?

"Opus: I wonder how many christian and or conservative groups they ask to look at films and give advice so they won't be offending them?"

The answer to that is: they are consulted on _every_ single film that receives an MPAA rating. They also give them a vote on the appeals board.

Scary. and kind of offensive.

Caroline, lesbians and gays are second-class citizens in most of the world. They don't have the full rights of others and are tortured and killed in many parts of the world just for being who they are.

Blacks had a right to call out 'blackface'. It demeaned them, and during a period when they too were second-class citizens in America.

Images of watermelons on the White House lawn. Pictures of the 44 presidents, with Obama only being big, bug-eyes. Is this funny today? It once was to a lot of our parents and grandparents.

That is the contemporary legacy of 'blackface' today.

It's not playing victim, it's self-empowerment. God bless all struggling, oppressed peoples.

Get over yourselves, Diva! Gay is the new normal, so expect to get made fun of and trashed a little, just like every other group in America.

mainstream gay community is an oxymoron just as same sex marriage is an oxymoron. doesn't work

Communist Hollywood being hyprocritical and narrow minded again.
Not letting someone express their art freely.
Just terrible.

why is it no one is concerned about this film?
we are in the heat of a civil rights movement for gay people and this is when universal decides to release this kind of movie? its irresponsible and degrading. i havent even seen the film and i dont want to. nothing satyrical is appropriate during a civil rights movement. if sacha or universal wanted to comebat homophobia there are a million other ways to do it. not blatantly exploiting gay people. and let me ask you, what do you think of the people depicted in the borat movie? was it not just an opportunity to make fun of those people. that is, what he is doing, no?

Typical Hollywood logic:

So know only the gay community can laugh at gay satire. Get REAL!!

We are talking about a movie right?

I'll go when "Dicks are for Chicks, The Comedy" hits the screen. I just have to watch Bwaney Fwank, she with the stretch-mark-induced speech impediment, to laugh at a queen.

I wonder how many christian and or conservative groups they ask to look at films and give advice so they won't be offending them?

It's a comedy....geesh! If you don't think you'll like it...don't go see it. If you your a fan of SBC then you'll probably like it. (no accounting for taste though)

Lighten up, people! It's just a movie.

Way to suck the life out of it.

As a gay man..I am constantly irritated by these same Gay loudmouths..who have yet to address ..someone like Perez Hilton..who does more damage to the gay community then some movie. They have remained silent as this Blow hard Blogger demeans- humiliates and skewers his own people... they have remained silent..GLADD- HRC- all fo them..

In typical fashion, a not-so-positive portrayal, and over-the-top satire, is only of concern when it offends the wrong group. I could take this more seriously if folks acknowledged, oh, say, audience perception of conservatives, Christians, business-owners, soldiers, and suburbanites in movies.

A deeply offensive movie is only okay as long as you are offending the correct (ie right wing) groups. It is FORBIDDEN to mock the left. Look at all those Obama jokes the comedians tell these days. Oh wait...

Certain people are taking this WAY too seriously. It's a SATIRE! For such an 'open-minded' community, Hollywood sure gets offended easily... or is this a marketing ploy? Hmmm.

I saw the trailer a number of times in some east coast burbs. Lots of laughs, but they were laughing at it, not with it. The one time there were lots of groups of teens (It was pre- hangover) and "fag" was yelled when Bruno was is in the self defense class... THAT got as much laughs as the trailer. I'm straight and I get comedy, but who wouldn't think a guy dressed and acting like Bruno is a total sick freak. It makes laughing at gay stereotypes legit.

Clearly leftwing Hollywood doesn't see baron cohen as an equal opportunity offender. Typical.

he's an actor. in a comedy movie.
why does he have to represent the mainstream of the gay community?

WTF

if you dont understand what sacha baron cohen does - then you are exactly who we are laughing at when we laugh at this movie.