HOME TRAILERS 2013 SCHEDULE PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS SHORT FILMS NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

WORTH WATCHING

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'The Dictator' Responds to Oscar Controversy

by Ethan Anderton
February 24, 2012
Source: The Wrap

We only just recently learned that The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences might have an issue with Sacha Baron Cohen, part of the much praised and nominated film Hugo, showing up at the Academy Awards this Sunday as General Aladeen from his forthcoming comedy The Dictator. Well, The Wrap now says that Cohen has received his tickets to the ceremony, so he has not been banned. However, to keep stirring the pot, General Aladeen, who is not allowed at the ceremony, appeared on "The Today Show" with Matt Lauer's cleaning lady, Ann Curry, and the eunuch Al Roker with a reaction to his banning. Watch!

Here's Sacha Baron Cohen as General Aladeen on "The Today Show" via The Wrap:

That's a hell of a beard! The Dictator is again being helmed Larry Charles, director of Borat and Bruno, as well as Religulous and episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Paramount has this comedy set for release on May 11th, 2012 next summer, so we've got a while, but this is a rather unforgettable first tease. The cast for The Dictator also includes Anna Faris and Ben Kingsley, but we have no idea how they're going to fit in this. Apparently, Saddam Hussein's best-selling novel Zabibah and the King "inspired" this story about a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy will never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed. Paramount will be bringing The Dictator to theaters everywhere starting May 11th this coming summer.

Filed under Awards, Humor, To Watch

From around the web:

Manuel

Please, let him in.
germss

Eh. Mildly funny. I can see why the Academy doesn't want him showing up like that. It's just a publicity stunt to get people interested in his movie. He's there to represent Hugo. Do that.
- Lairdom
  
  I agree. I wasn't surprised when I heard Sacha Baron Cohen was banned from oscars because I knew they don't want him to come there messing around in his "roles". The Oscars is a prestigious event and some level of class must be kept (I would never invite Kanye West there ever again).
  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ5hK-D8kRQ Crapola
    
    It's a celebration of people who get paid to play make believe and dressed up in silly clothes. It's not meant to be taken thaat seriously surely. If Kany West didn't have any money, he'd be sectioned under the mental health act, like most delusional maniacs.
    - Manuel
      
      May I add that this year the Oscars are about movies that actually are about movies? Oscarsception?
      - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ5hK-D8kRQ Crapola
        
        I know, how many movies about people making movies do we need?
LW

He had me at 'Planet of the Rapes'
http://www.aguyinhisbasement.com/ Bibowski

No stunt will beat the premiere of Borat at TIFF. He came in on a wagon with a donkey, being pulled by two women
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=203001398 Jace LeRoy

They gave him tons of publicity by banning him. It's a win/win for him either way.
DustyOR

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz He's had his 15 minutes of fame. Poor little boy apparently never got any love from his mommy.......
beevis

sooooooo, there are people who find this kind of foolishness funny?
- Manuel
  
  I have, sir. I am silly enough. And proud.
  - beevis
    
    no problem with that - i would never be insulting towards anothers preferences....... however - i think the guy is a retard (much like adam sandler) and has no skills at all (much like AS again). thanks for the input
Manuel

It's ok, man. I'm not insulted by your comment. Sascha Baron Cohen has certainly a very narrowed, acid, not very polite sense of humour. I don't know, he made me laugh with this one. For sure, he's kinda foolish. Remember that scene in Austin Powers when Austin was in the restroom along with that cowboy character and he was asked about where he came from, he said "I'm english" and the cowboy said "Oh, I'm sorry." Sascha, well, he's english, actually...
- beevis
  
  i just don't think acting like an idiot is.....you know....acting - it's just him being a fool and people paying to see it. and this character he's "created" is just a regurgitation of the previous 2 he's done. i think the guy is VERY overrated.
Mickey Geller

Really? Adam Sandler and Sacha Baron Cohen have no skills at all? Really? I get that you don't enjoy their style of comedy and yes, their styles may have become played out by now but to say they have no skill really weakens your credibility in my eyes. tell all the people who have been fooled by Cohen's (extremely witty and satirical at the best of times) improvisation when he has been in character. And Adam Sandler? my generation was raised on Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore and the man was a young and talented stand up comic as well as his great work on SNL. These are just a few examples.
- beevis
  
  yes, i've seen their "work".........and they have no skills. and as far as credibility, yours ended when you suggested that there have been people who were fooled by cohens in-character improv. i guess we'll have to disagree on this.