'Bruno' Paris Premiere: A Rave Review, Glittery Hotpants And Roman Polanski (PHOTOS)

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Bruno' had its Parisian premiere Monday night as an early review gave it a rave. As always, Cohen was in character in Paris as the flamboyant fashion journalist. He wore legless gold glittered lederhosen and was joined by a lederhosen-wearing entourage of models.

Also at the premiere, but arriving separately, was Cohen's fiancee Isla Fisher, director Roman Polanski and Zach Galifianakis.

The Sun has a first review, calling the film "unmissable":

To say Brüno makes uncomfortable viewing is an understatement of Battle of Britain proportions.

When I wasn't giggling like a 14-year-old, I was cowering behind my hands.

PARIS PHOTOS:

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Comments

[GQTaste]

I"m waiting for when he makes fun of his own heritage but frankly I don't think that one will ever come out.

[taxipod]

Ali G! Done it already

[jalowe1957]

Sasha Baron Cohen: The Pia Zadora of satirists.

[deepblue13]

I have no admiration or respect for Mr. Cohen's work. He is a poor excuse for a comedian and satirist.

Mr. Cohen defamed Kazakhstan for no good reason in Borat. I never heard of him giving any profits from Borat to help schools or charities in Kazakhstan. Why pick on Kazakhstan? Why not use a made-up-i-stan?

Bruno looks set to somewhat embarrass Austria, promote the idea that all heterosexuals are outraged by someone being openly homosexual and re-enforce a negative stereotype about gay men. How is this positive or funny? I've also read that Bruno will include jokes about celebrity adoptions of babies from less developed countries; how original.

The portrayal of Ali G can be considered bigoted because of its portrayal and re-enforcement of a negative stereotype that all white urban and sub-urban youths who identify with the hip-hop sub-culture are ignorant, and shallow.

Mr. Cohen's interview style of misrepresentation followed by inappropriate behavior and questions, from all his creations, could also make it more difficult for the next independent or novice journalist to get a real interview from one of his victims.

I would have so much more respect for Mr. Cohen if he used his talents and resources exposing Jewish prejudice against Arabs in Israel or British prejudice against recent Polish and other Slavic immigrants in Britain. That would be would be cutting edge and noteworthy. In my opinion, Mr. Cohen isn't creative; he is exploitative.

[netzwerg]

"I would have so much more respect for Mr. Cohen if he used his talents and resources exposing Jewish prejudice against Arabs in Israel or British prejudice against recent Polish and other Slavic immigrants in Britain."

Hes a COMEDIAN, not a politician. Its not his business. So dont blame him.

"Bruno looks set to somewhat embarrass Austria, promote the idea that all heterosexuals are outraged by someone being openly homosexual and re-enforce a negative stereotype about gay men. How is this positive or funny?"

Nobody cares here in Europe if someone is openly gay or not. Thats why he has to pull off his stunts in the US. We even have openly gay politicians here, for example Berlins mayor or Paris's mayor or the leader of the german free democratic party and guess what: NOBODY cares. His movie exposes this in a very intelligent and ridiculously funny way.

"The portrayal of Ali G can be considered bigoted because of its portrayal and re-enforcement of a negative stereotype that all white urban and sub-urban youths who identify with the hip-hop sub-culture are ignorant, and shallow."

Youre right, it can be missinterpreted if you have an IQ of 80 or below.

[redsongia]

He has a really cute behind though, fess up.

[taxipod]

I laughed so hard at Borat I got a headache. Kazhakhstan tourism has done well from it. At least a few more people know where the country is now. Try looking behind the sofa for your sense of humour. Cohen is a comedy genius

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/charles_starmer-smith/blog/2007/01/26/borat_brings_a_tourist_boom_to_kazakhstan

[Womanvoter4Obama]

It's over my head...I don't get it. I'm not afraid to admit that. I don't know how to feel or think. I guess I'm just old. :) All I have to say is, if Isla Fisher loves him he can't be that bad.

[netzwerg]

Go watch the movie then, its very intelligent "ambush" humor.

[LiberalBuzz]

No it's bathroom, lockerroom, kegger party humor.

There isn't a single shred of intelligence anywhere near it.

I can only hope his flame burns out REAL soon as I cannot stand him.

[sweetwhine]

He defiantly has his fan base....ma­inly men, I think. I thought Ali G was funny. But Borat and now Bruno? No, not my kind of humor.

[harriettubman]

Can someone please explain to me this new kind of humor? Are these men trying to be women? Wearing clothes like this, is this a gay revue or what?

[netzwerg]

France is a free country, where people can wear whatever they want.

[redsongia]

SBC has a cute behind, so he wants to flaunt it, that's all.

[Feanor]

Nope, no one can explain it to you, sorry.

[Deesel]

When someone says that 'gay people don't bother me' how often do they point out the Queer Eye guys or Elton John or David Hyde Pierce? Somewhat quirky but overall nice people that can even help with your wardrobe! That's not what all gay people are like though and SBC brings out the disgust many of these 'tolerant' people actually have for gays by portraying the other end of the gay spectrum.

By passing himself off as a stereotypical hyper-sexualized gay man that doesn't fit a conveniently non-threatening view of homosexuality, he is exposing people's insincerity. The humor is in the irony of the people being very visibly upset about something they supposedly don't care about/aren't bothered by.

[TimLB]

I can't wait for this!!!

[Joe Thompson]

www.boyakasha.co.uk/bruno wicked site!

[Joe Thompson]

www.boyakasha.co.uk/bruno wicked!

[aliceautumn]

The new Benny HIll but not funny. His peepee-caca humor is tiresome. Boring!!!!

[konflikt]

benny hill? ok, gramma.

[Roundgal]

"The name of the act? The Aristocrat­s."

[dmsdzinr]

WHY is anybody giving this guy more than his 15 minutes of fame??? He is SO LAME!

[vickskat]

SBC is so absurd.

He always stays in character too. That's what makes it hella funny.

[HarlemFreeThought]

His staying in character is what I find amazing. Three vastly different "people". ALi G, Borat, and now Bruno. It's reported Sacha will retire the characters. Can't wait to see what's next..

[rini]

He is really talented. Did you hear him sing in Sweeney Todd? It was hilarious, but also incredibly agile singing. He hit a really high note.

That said, I often find him a bit crude for my taste. I thought I'd start retching during the amazingly prolonged "fighting" sequence between Borat and the obese guy.

[LeeLoosMultiPass]

Of course, it's "ambush" humor. This is the core of Cohen's schtick.

I have a question: Does Cohen get written releases from his subjects AFTER he has ambushed them? If not, I'd be one of those suing, no matter what the film was about.

For "Candid Camera" Allen Funt got written releases AFTER he filmed them. Long ago, a lifelong friend of my uncle was caught by Candid Camera. He was sitting at a lunch counter and the "grapfruit" started to squirt on him. He was a distinguished man, and once the joke was revealed, he refused to give permission for his scene to appear. And it never was. A proud man, he was very embarrassed, and disliked the loss of dignity.

So, I ask: Does Cohen get written releases - at all? And not "phony" ones about phony scenarios that are supposedly going to take place?

[andj]

LeeLoosMultiPass - i have also wondered how he can film people and make money out of them without getting the subjects permission of paying them.

I believe that he ambushed Ron Paul. How is he allowed to put that in the film without permission?

I think its wrong that one can profit in this manner - from ridiculing celebrities or man in the street.

Could anyone explain?

[HarlemFreeThought]

My guess: Very Strong Legal TEAM!! personal and corporate. A release form, probably many pages in length,instead of a one page standard on camera release form. http://www.videomaker.com/learn/business/legal/talent-release-forms/ I am sure participants are compensation very well considering the amount his films take in receipts.

[rini]

I think he does quickly have them sign something on the spot, perhaps after the on camera stuff, sometimes before. I think the staff purposely rushes the "victim" into signing without reading everything. I may be wrong.

Of course, if it can be proven that they didn't know what they were signing, or even if doubt about that can be raised, I think there is a legal basis for suits against him.

And, as HarlemFreeThought mentioned, I think he has a lot of money and good lawyers.

[leftyandproudofit]

I have very little sympathy for people like Ron Paul who show their prejudices when they think there are no cameras around and then complain when they're caught red-handed spewing hate. I thank SBC for outing these a-holes.

[SwiftTiger]

Good question -- I'd like to know, too...

[tkondaks]

With the Borat character, people who appeared on camera were approached and told that they would be interviewed by a TV personality who was visiting from Kazakhstan. And they got them to sign a release BEFORE they appeared on camera.

With Bruno, I believe the same thing happened because the Bruno character is portrayed as a representative of an Austrian TV show.

[LeeLoosMultiPass]

@tkondaks re: "Borat" and "Bruno."

Well, then, that's fraud.