Uproar Follows Sacha Baron Cohen's Decision to Revive Ali G
Newser • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Sacha Baron Cohen is reviving his controversial character Ali G after 24 years in the upcoming mockumentary "Ali G: Who Iz I?", set for release on October 23.
- UK watchdog NewsCord has launched a campaign against the film, labeling Ali G as a racist stereotype and urging cinemas not to screen the Amazon-MGM release.
- Critics, including Black British performers and journalist Afua Hirsch, argue that Ali G's parody of Black culture and working-class women is outdated and offensive rather than insightful.
- Baron Cohen defends the character's return as a satire targeting outrage over politically incorrect humor, while major theater chains have declined to boycott the film, citing it as protected adult satire.
- The character Ali G originally appeared in 1998 and was last featured in a 2002 film; the new movie's trailer is available via Deadline.
