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    Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Bruno' Controversy

    If there's one thing that Sacha Baron Cohen is good at, besides making us pee our pants with laughter, it's stirring up a hornets' nest of controversy. The British comic follows up his uproariously un-PC flick 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' with the equally un-PC (and, we suspect, equally hilarious) 'Bruno.'

    'Bruno' features Baron Cohen as his gay Austrian fashion reporter alter ego, instead of his awkward Kazakhstan nationalist reporter alter ego, but the formula's pretty much the same: infiltrate real-life events and elicit uncomfortable (often racist, sexist, homophobic -- or all three at once) reactions from folks who aren't in on the joke.

    It's no surprise, really, that Baron Cohen's antics are the cause of oodles of controversy, lawsuits and embarrassment. Here's a rundown of the contention caused by the movie and its star -- before it's even hit theaters. -- By Angie Argabrite

    A Gay Old Time: Universal Pictures had been screening the film for gay and lesbian groups for feedback, but some members of those groups complained they were brought into the loop way too late, when it was impossible for any of their suggestions to be implemented. GLAAD has asked the studio to include a message of support for gay rights and tolerance at the end of the flick. The answer was no. We're shocked it's taken this long for a feud to emerge.

    (Scroll down for more controversies)


    Bruno Photos

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as a gay fashion reporter, attends the Dutch premiere of his film "Bruno" in the red light district of Amsterdam. June 19, 2009. REUTERS/United Photos/Robin van Lonkhuijsen (NETHERLANDS ENTERTAINMENT)

      Reuters

      Sacha Baron Cohen (C) attends "Bruno" photocall, at Las Ventas bullring on June 18, 2009 in Madrid, Spain. Sacha Baron Cohen Attends "Bruno" Photocall In Madrid Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Madrid, Spain June 18, 2009 Photo by Fotonoticias/WireImage.com To license this image (57720269), contact WireImage.com

      Fotonoticias/WireImage.com

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, dressed as a gay fashion reporter, attends the Dutch premiere of his film "Bruno" in the red light district of Amsterdam. June 19, 2009. REUTERS/United Photos/Robin van Lonkhuijsen (NETHERLANDS ENTERTAINMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

      Reuters

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, center, adjusts his hair as he arrives for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen reacts as he leaves after a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen, foreground, who plays the part of Bruno, poses with male models as he transformed the city's famous red light district into a pink light district as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP

      British actor Sacha Baron Cohen arrives on a jetski for a photo opportunity as part of promotional activities for the Dutch premiere of the movie Bruno, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

      AP



    MTV Movie Awards Altercation: Baron Cohen, in character as Bruno of course, came soaring over the crowd at the recent MTV telecast, only to land -- butt cheeks first -- in Eminem's face. Granted, we learned later that Em was in on the gag, but we must say we admire the rapper's acting skillz. Tell us you weren't fooled at first by his display of anger and disgust.

    If the Suit Fits: Let the litigation begin. In early June, a California woman sued Baron Cohen for an alleged altercation at a bingo tournament. The plaintiff is allegedly using a wheelchair since she fell after trying to get the mic back from Bruno. If the lawsuits spurred by 'Borat' are any indication, we bet this is just the first of a long line of legal action Baron Cohen will face.




    Watch this 'Bruno' trailer in HD at Moviefone's HD Trailer Hub


    Ratings War: Initially 'Bruno' was given an NC-17 rating by the MPAA. After some initial hesitation, filmmakers cut enough of the graphic and lewd sex scenes to get upgraded to an R. You'll just have to wait for the DVD for that stuff. (Though it should be noted that Baron Cohen declined to make further cuts to the film to get it rated 15 in Britain, so it'll be released there as rated 18.)

    That's Bull:
    Baron Cohen showed up at the Madrid premiere of 'Bruno' dressed in a furry black steer costume, complete with prominent genitalia (naturally). Not that controversial, really, we just think it's funny.

    Get more Hollywood dish in our Moviefone Minute.




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