Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedic character Ali G is facing significant backlash in the United Kingdom following the release of a trailer for “Ali G: Who Iz I?”, an upcoming mockumentary from Amazon MGM Studios. The fictional character, known for satirizing urban British culture and hip-hop, has drawn criticism on social media, with observers describing the portrayal as outdated and offensive. The trailer features the character in Rastafarian attire and making controversial statements, sparking renewed debate about the nature of Cohen’s satire.
In response to the negative reception, a campaign organized by NewsCord, a media monitoring platform, has been launched to encourage cinemas worldwide to refuse screening the film. The initiative claims to have dispatched over 36,000 emails to major cinema chains by Friday. Campaigners argue that Cohen uses satire as a veneer to perpetuate racist stereotypes, pointing to concerns raised by Black British comedians over two decades ago when the character first appeared on television.
Critics including writer Afua Hirsch have contended that the character represents outdated humor that conflicts with contemporary cultural standards. However, the campaign’s apparent victory proved premature. A response from Picturehouse Cinemas stating it had no plans to screen the film was misinterpreted—the message was merely a standard reply to scheduling inquiries rather than a deliberate rejection. Phil Clapp, head of the U.K. Cinema Association, emphasized that cinemas should prioritize audience preferences rather than act as cultural arbiters.
Originally reported by Variety →
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