GLAAD Slams 'Bruno'

LOS ANGELES — The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said Friday that "Bruno," the new film starring Sacha Baron Cohen, reinforces negative stereotypes and "decreases the public's comfort with gay people."

GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios, who saw the film Friday, said that "the movie was a well-intentioned series of sketches _ some hit the mark and some hit the gay community pretty hard and reinforce some damaging, hurtful stereotypes."

In a style similar to his popular Borat character, Baron Cohen brings Bruno, a flamboyantly gay Austrian fashionista, into ridiculous situations with unsuspecting everyday people.

Universal Pictures, which released "Bruno," sought GLAAD's input on the film and invited staff members to advance screenings, Barrios said.

The organization "shared a number of concerns, and unfortunately, the scenes that we had the biggest concerns about remained in the film," Barrios said.

One such scene shows Bruno in a hot tub with his adopted infant son and two naked men involved in a sex act.

"Scenes like that don't help America understand the hundreds of thousands of gay families who get up every day, do the carpool then rush home to make dinner and be with their children," Barrios said.

Similarly, the movie's mock marriage scene "doesn't help Americans understand the lives of gay couples who are denied the rights and protections of marriage in 43 states," he said.

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Universal Pictures maintains that "Bruno" is a satire that "uses provocative comedy to powerfully shed light on the absurdity of many kinds of intolerance and ignorance, including homophobia."

"While any work that dares to address relevant cultural sensitivities might be misinterpreted by some or offend others, we believe the overwhelming majority of the audience will understand and appreciate the film's inarguably positive intentions, which we've seen demonstrated whenever we have shown it," the studio said in a statement.

Barrios said that while he believes the filmmakers had good intentions and that some moviegoers will see the satire, "some people in the gay community will be as troubled as GLAAD is that the movie doesn't decrease homophobia, but decreases the public's comfort with gay people."

___

On the Net:

GLAAD, http://www.glaad.org

Official "Bruno" movie Web site, http://www.thebrunomovie.com

(This version corrects that Barrios saw the film Friday, not at earlier screening.)

Comments

[ImaVeteran]

I am so tired of seeing Bruno's face on this blog.

[Margaretpoa]

Hear! Hear! The whole genre is ridiculous in my opinion but maybe it's only funny to those people with less than a 3 digit IQ.

[renatam]

Yes. Adolescent boys and Palinistas.

[AnotherTry]

According to critics like GLAAD, Brüno's biggest offensive is being unapologetically gay. Nice message your sending out there, GLAAD. Why are you always getting it wrong?

[renatam]

Like "Steppin Fetchit" was unapologetically African American?

This rationale of getting folks to BUY into -- and BUY tickets to -- the perversion of this kind of exploitation is Hollywood bigotry at its best.

[AnotherTry]

Wrong. It is the bigots who are getting exploited. I laugh at them and their ridiculous and predictable reactions. Some humor requires a higher level of sophistication in order to truly appreciate it.

[JimR]

It is the bigots who are being made fun of. How can you not see that?

[AnotherTry]

Still I disagree. GLAAD is making f00ls of themselves. Imagine if GLAAD had kept their mouth shut and some right-winger actually used Bruno as a way to support whatever silly talking point they are making. How ridiculous to site a fictional character to make your argument. But sorry, GLAAD went ahead and gave that tactic legitimacy. ldi0ts, all of them.

[guytaur1]

I find the humor of Mr Cohen to fall flat. I felt that when people raved about Ali G when it was shown here on Australian ABC TV. I felt the same about Borat. I waited till it came out on DVD and rented it to see how it was. I ended up not watching all of it. I expect this film is the same. "Bruno" appeared here on a chat show the same night as the Prime Minister. A PR coup for him. It does not seem to have helped that much at the box office.
From what I understand the intentions are indeed good. However there is that saying about the road to Hell being paved with good intentions. I think that GLAAD is most likely right in this case. Do bear in mind I have not seen the film. The reason for my theory on this is from his past work.
Do remember that there have been stereotypical comedy moments done that do indeed depict gay men in a certain negative like. A lot of gay men feel real guilty when they laugh along. It is hard to resist a comic genius like some of those in British Comedy. For an example of how to do a positve stereotype I suggest any whom have missed it check out Little Britain. Then compare to Bruno.

[maisnon55]

why is this movie getting so much publicity on H P......bou­ght ads, I guess

[renatam]

Ditto everywhere else in media. If it were quality, it wouldn't need the HYPE.

[JimR]

Wow, what a nonsensical statement.

[nakedhand]

I cant believe they took the bait. Hilarious.

[benchy]

There are all sort of stereotypes that I think are challenged in this movie. It is entertainment, I can see GLAAD's point, and they are right to point out their views. There are a great number of gay people that are going to see the movie just for a laugh, because the stereotype is so ridiculous. Anyone who believes all gay people are this stupid basically are not going to change their minds whether they watch Bruno or not.

[renatam]

It's a slippery slope when Hollywood makes cariacatures and stereotypes out of ethnic/gender groups (except those that are off-limits by Mr. Cohen and his producers). Hollywood made a fortune out of "Steppin Fetchit" and "Mammy" types, at the collective expense of African Americans -w/out empathy or consideration of how children of color would be affected in school and elsewhere. My grandparen­ts/parents took pains to insulate my sister and I (boomers) from internalizizing these images - though NOTHING protected us from being assaulted in school by them - as children will.

There is no empathy or pathos inherent in Mr. Cohen's "comedy." It has its lineage in the old Hollywood (and its sister, NYC media) "Steppin Fetchit" traditions - albiet, upgraded for the 21st Century's new "minority" group to be mocked and laughed at by those who feel confident in their OWN superiority they can ALWAYS find something to laugh at and/or mock - for money - in Hollywood. Lacking TALENT, what else can they do??? And so it goes.

As an AA, I have a word of advice for our gay friends. We never BOUGHT into the propaganda that mockery of ourselves/imagery was COMEDY ...and, we never bought a ticket. Don't buy into this...or Mr. Cohen's future endeavors. He is predictable and can ONLY mock others who do not reflect HIMSELF...­and, in the new era, narcissism isn't very funny and/or in-style.

[FabulousAt52]

VERY well said, renatam! Thank you....

[JimR]

Wow, you are completely missing the point.

[Quislet]

Well said.

I have read some comments here claiming "It's just a movie". And while I don't think movies. Marilyn Manson, and violent video games were the sole cause of why Little Johnny shot up his school, neither do I think they have no effect on people's thoughts, beliefs, and actions in some cases. Movies can and do influence us.

[renatam]

Finally, I have more respect for the Palins of this world who are at least HONEST in their bigotry - and tell us they are superior in every way. Almost half the Nation voted for her/her standard to be one heartbeat from the Presidency, so I am not under any illusions there are no ticketbuyers for Mr. Cohen's kind of "comedy" - hiding under the cover of "comedy." The good news is that more than half the Nation turned toward the light...an­d, with any luck, new comedians will come to the fore that don't mock our frailties (of course, he has none)...an­d focus on the pathos we all share...so we can all laugh...to­gether.

Where is Shakespere when we need him?

[ModernNarcissus]

I'm sorry, I saw Bruno Friday with my boyfriend and we thought it was hilarious! AND, I voted for McPalin. I don't think anything in the movie could be considered our frailties? I'm shocked, because you seem like a very intelligent individual, but your myopia seems to be your frailty.
You do realize that Obama doesn't hide his bigotry either. He agrees with the GOP that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Just because you want to believe that one half of the nation agrees with you completely, doesn't mean it's so. There are over 300 Million opinions in this country, no one thinks exactly like you, and I know in this forum very few think like I do.
Chin up!
This is still a remarkable country and time to be alive!

[klandish]

Bruno takes his newly adopted baby to an adult orgy and this is considered "funny". What ever else this film contains this is a disgusting idea that should have been cut immediately. This is complete contempt for the Gay Community.

[renatam]

It was a black baby, so it is "comedy."

[JimR]

So you approve of censorship?

[klandish]

Yeah, so let 's keep shoving their biases in our collective faces. I think the biggest problem with this "satire" is it's unfortunate timing. While dozens of my friends are risking ridicule by canvasing neighborhoods throughout California to overturn 8, we have this nonsense as background music accompanied by a PR campaign that rivals something akin to a mammoth political movement.

[RachelMc]

wow@ risking ridicule..­... thought that was a part of life esp since no1 likes every1 and no1 have the same opinions. toughin' up.

[CARTERJ]

Come on, guys, if you can dish it out, then you've got to take it. Why is anyone surprised? Cohen's sword is always double-edged. For months, I knew that he was not going to let gay people off the hook any more than he does rednecks. It's the same thing "Borat" did with Jews. He is satirizing bigotry, and our own expectations of ourselves. I have always said to those intolerant of gay marriage, "What do you think we're going to do, have sex in front of the kids?" "Bruno" addresses this mind-set, and we have to face it head-on. It ain't pretty, or easy, but there it is. As Steve Martin said, comedy is not pretty.

In Mozart's great comedy "Cosi Fan Tutte", two guys make a bet, through an instigator, that they can seduce each other's girlfriends. When they succeed in dong just that, they don't like it one bit. It gets darker, and by the end, everyone has had their eyes opened and it is not clear at all who goes with whom, or even if they go on together. One thing is certain' everything has changed. We not only lie to each other, but we lie to ourselves. That is the purpose of comedy. If you want cheap, mindless laughs, go elsewhere.

If it makes people uncomfortable, so be it. No one is immune.

[JeauxSchmeaux]

I bet they'd love Bruno to 'slam' them!

[TopDog]

I am sure that Cohen is quite concerned that he offended GLAAD, or anyone else for that matter.

[klandish]

Self serving at it's most amoral. You can quote me.

[Sirdi]

Klandish said that this was self serving at it's most amoral.

[renatam]

The blessing of being superior to ALL groups who do not reflect Mr. Cohen, is he is blissfully detached from the HARM he causes others who are not like himself. We are ALL fair game if we are not his mirror reflection.

Ignorance is bliss.

[renatam]

Mr. Cohen's comedy reflects CONTEMPT..­.and it's transparent. There is no empathy...­and it is relentless to the point of brutality.

[pghnappyrhino]

the same glaad who kept their pieholes shut about shirley q. liquor until jasmine cannick SHAMED them into releasing a statement?

sorry, not to impressed.

[KJLSanDiego]

the film was very racy, and I can see how one could be disconcerted by it. I feel for both sides of this issue. We are lucky to live in a society with enough freedom to make and view a film of this nature. On the other side of the coin, I can see how such a brazen portrayal makes some people uneasy and scared for their safety and well-being knowing that some might see the film more as informational than entertaining.

[Skeetshooter]

Why on earth should the American public be comfortable with gay people?

They're not comfortable living within their means. They lay claim to being the moral pinnacle of civilization, yet they can't acknowledge the fact that their government sanctioned torture. They refuse to pay taxes commensurate with the services they demand. They would rather visit Disney's EPCOT than the real world outside our borders they know little about. They own guns in greater numbers than any other nation on earth, yet they live in fear, and many worship a god whose teachings they ignore.

Making them comfortable is not a comedian's job, and the American public already spoiled beyond reason. Why should they be comfortable with gay people when they're just not comfortable with people?

[snarkycat]

To date, this is the smartest comment I've read on this thing.

[Sirdi]

word.

[duplants]

Wow.

[klandish]

Good point. Why should they be comfortable with anything? But on the other hand WHY stoke the embers of hate in an already unstable environment? Is that funny to you? Or is it just one more tension release from the deeps of Nihilism.

[FabulousAt52]

If YOU are American, please speak for yourself..­. Too many Americans don't fit your stereotype.

If you are NOT American..­.. please stick to criticizing your own country and its problems, thanks.

[Adism]

Phenonemal :)

[klandish]

If GLADD says NO it's NO for me. No matter how clever the sarcasm and sophisticated spoof on the reactionary Straight Culture. It's a film aimed at the tidal wave of mass Culture who won't pick up on the nuances of their own hypocrisy. I won't watch "Buckwheat" for "laughs" and I won't support in the Millions for Cohen.

A man by the way who is no personal visionary. He refused to marry the Mother of his Child unless she converted to full Judaism. Conservatism over love never makes it for me.

[renatam]

You are correct...­and the "cleverness" is to get us to accept toxic stereotypes as funny - from the same ilk in Hollywood who gave us "Buckwheat­." There is no wit here. We are ALL being mocked by a narrowminded (self-perceived superior?) group - who are attempting to pass off mockery as if it is an inside joke. In fact, this cunningness is a trap...bec­ause, Mr. Cohen is very selective about who/what he sends up - and it is NEVER himself or his kind.

He lacks depth and his limitations in terms of respect/empathy for others unlike himself - show/shine through.

The danger - and he and those who fund him well know it - is there is a huge segment of the population who do NOT view this as sardonic wit, and will USE it as a jumping off point to justify their bias. Mr. Cohen is actually providing visual imagery to USE against certain people - based upon his OWN BIASES. So, he is mocking us all...not laughing with us...at all. To charge us for this nonsense and saturate the airwaves and billboards promoting this...mak­es fools of us all, except a narrow sliver who will never be the TARGET of his zeal. That would be the acid test...and it will never happen.

[renatam]

In the Obama (not Clinton/Bush) eras - how clever is too clever? When does Hollywood and NYC-media get put it its place - and mockery-as­-entertain­ment (of only certain groups by certain groups) as a substitute for quality, culture, talent and the arts - become passe?

When we stop buying tickets to circus sideshows and freak shows making fools of us ALL, except those who cash the checks in Hollywood and NYC media. This "comedy" demonstrates CONTEMPT for the overwhelming majority of the American people. Let's show OUR contemt by refusing to pay.

[pghnappyrhino]

how long has jerry springer been on the air? people are lining up for those tickets, as well as to be part of the circus.

[Jon Levendusky]

Really? You'll blindly accept a group's opinion on the matter? Do you actually care about anything, or just pretend to?

[klandish]

Gays are the first to be self-mocking. 1. They see the absurdity in things most Straights wouldn't dare see the humor in. 2. The Gay Culture is attempting a well deserved cultural inclusion at a time this "Straight Comedian" thinks it's ripe for picking the pockets of everyone from young bigots to well lessor forms of bigots to a few insiders that will laugh at the expense of their own and communities good. When I said "Buckwheat" I wonder if you have any idea the significance of that character historically. Might be good to do a little research and see the comparisons with Cohen's "Bruno".

[renatam]

The acid test is WHEN will Mr. Cohen do his "treatment" on his own....wit­h the same zeal?

[KJLSanDiego]

lol do you mean the dreidel yamaka Hanukkah crowd? I think his anti-semitic Borat at least partially qualifies.

[klandish]

In Borat He depicted that boarding room couple with absolute empathy. His Character was the deluded one. How does that compare with Bruno taking his adopted baby into an orgy with other adults? IT doesn't. He knows what he's doing.

[SaulBloodworth]

The way Borat was supposed to work is, you don't like Borat because he is an anti-semite. The jewish couple was the only one in the movie who did come across as nice people.

And of course they were told that's a movie. They were clued in the joke.

[renatam]

Someone posted on her FB Wall in my network today - she felt violated after watching this movie.

America is moving away from this kind of entertainment - mocking specific groups - to elevate some at the expense of others. This guy is very selective - and outdated. Lacking ANY talent, his sideshow is out of touch in the Obama era, where the arts and culture will thrive.

This kid of mockery comedy - reflected also on MTV and reality tv - is becoming marginalized, along with those who proffer it. If they feel/sound off-key, it is because they are. They will find themselves increasingly irrevelant and a circus freak/sideshow in the years to come.

Good riddins.

[KJLSanDiego]

it is a very pornographic film, i was not expecting it to go that far either.

[Thermidor]

Ohhh... "violated.­" That's not an overstatement or anything. No drama there. I love how much passion someone puts into that kind of response. Part of growing up is learning to shrug. Part of being an adult child with no perspective and an overdeveloped sense of self-importance is applying terms of physical abuse to emotional states.

Please grow up and consider the idea that you can't have freedom and total comfort at the same time, and that freedom is much more important than your wittle feewings.

[renatam]

African Americans didn't "grow up" and accept "Steppin Fetchit" or "Mammy" imagery. And, when Mr. Cohen sends up HIMSELF...­that will be the acid test.

Crassness is what it is...no matter where it is. And, Hollywood needs to stop producing stereotypical imagery of "minority" groups, generationally. Boring and CRASS.

[klandish]

Freedoms fine, make the movie. But why the 24 hr. blitz. It's as if our very cultural life will be ridiculed if you don't see the film. People have a right to complain..­. because it's NOT all that. These production Companies thrive on peer pressure and mega expensive ad campaign. No one's trying to stop the film.. just the overkill.

[SaulBloodworth]

Was she dragged there at gunpoint? Is she illiterate and hence not capable of reading reviews? Blind?

[jefered]

Amen.