Entertainment
Campaigners urge cinema chains to boycott new Ali G film amid resurgence of racism claims
Media platform NewsCord launched an email campaign against Sacha Baron Cohen's upcoming movie, though claims that a U.K. theater chain officially refused to show it remain unconfirmed.
The short version
- Media monitoring platform NewsCord launched a campaign urging global cinema chains to boycott Sacha Baron Cohen's upcoming Amazon MGM mockumentary 'Ali G: Who Iz I?'.
- Critics and campaigners argue the Ali G character relies on outdated and racist stereotypes, renewing long-standing criticisms of the satire.
- While reports claimed Picturehouse Cinemas refused to screen the film, the chain's reply was actually a generic customer service response for unbooked titles, with no official screening decision made yet.
Key facts
- NewsCord launched an online campaign asking cinema chains globally to refuse to screen Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Ali G: Who Iz I?,' claiming over 36,000 emails were sent on behalf of users as of Friday.[Variety]
- Critics including writer Afua Hirsch accused the character of utilizing crude, outdated racist caricatures and mocking working-class and Black culture.[Variety]
- The U.K. Cinema Association stated through chief Phil Clapp that theaters base screening decisions on expected audience interest for BBFC-certified films rather than acting as public censors.[Variety]
- NewsCord cited a standard customer service template response from Picturehouse Cinemas stating it had no current plans to screen the title as proof of a refusal, but no official decision has been finalized.[Variety]
What remains uncertain
- It is unconfirmed whether major cinema chains will alter their screening plans or refuse to show the film as a result of the campaign.[Variety]