Sacha Baron Cohen faces backlash over new Ali G film

Sacha Baron Cohen is facing significant backlash following the announcement of his new mockumentary, ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’, which marks the return of his satirical character after two decades. The film, produced by Amazon MGM and scheduled for release on October 23, has sparked a widespread campaign led by the media-monitoring platform NewsCord.

Activists are urging cinemas to boycott the film, alleging that the character reinforces harmful racial stereotypes, specifically targeting the Jamaican community. The campaign has reportedly resulted in tens of thousands of emails being sent to major cinema chains worldwide. In response to the pressure, the UK-based Picturehouse Cinemas stated it currently has no plans to screen the film.

In the United States, a scheduled screening at the Vidiots film organization was canceled amid similar allegations of racism and Zionism. While critics argue the character is an ‘alibi for racism’ that is disconnected from modern sensibilities, Cohen has noted the difficulty of performing offensive comedy in the current social climate.