Sacha Baron Cohen's Gay Bruno Strikes Again, on the Milan Catwalk!
Sacha Baron Cohen, who is currently filming his film Bruno featuring his gay Austrian news reporter character, caused a ruckus on the runway in Milan during fashion week. He was then arrested.
The HuffPost reports: "Cohen interrupted the fashion show of designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada in Milan making it onto the catwalk dressed as his Austrian model Bruno. Dressed in a black cloak, and a bizarre bundle of clothing, Cohen strutted down the catwalk past the shows' models. But the police were called when he refused to leave to restore order. Scantily clad models screamed and security guards dived on him and several others with him and bundled them away. TV footage screened on Italian TV showed Cohen dressed as his creation Bruno, a flamboyant Austrian fashionista."
Cohen's fake news reporter has already made news this year at a cage fighting event in Arkansas, in an interview with a former Israeli spy, in an attempt to talk to Arnold Schwarzenegger, go-go dancing at the Wichita airport, and duping Ben Affleck.
Check out the video of the stunt and arrest, AFTER THE JUMP...
If I am not mistaken that happened in Madrid and not Milan.
Posted by: Made In Brazil | Sep 26, 2008 1:23:36 PM
Yeah I'm kinda done with this guy. Borat was funny in its own way, but enough already.
Posted by: The Milkman | Sep 26, 2008 1:26:54 PM
made in Brazil –but they're all speaking italian.
Posted by: A.J. | Sep 26, 2008 1:37:20 PM
"...and a bizarre bundle of clothing..." describes just about any fashion show. I'm wondering how they could tell it was not part of the whole thing.
Posted by: anon | Sep 26, 2008 1:51:30 PM
Could someone explain to me what Cohen is attempting to accomplish by releasing a movie with a gay stereotype? I realize he's poking fun at homophobia and ignorance, but I do not believe that idea will translate to most [American] audiences, which may result in a backlash as opposed to opening up peoples minds.
Posted by: Cj | Sep 26, 2008 1:51:54 PM
He pulls a stupid publicity stunt then covers his face. What a douche bag. I can not understand how anyone finds him funny.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Sep 26, 2008 1:57:09 PM
This is genius. Lighten up.
Posted by: zuzz | Sep 26, 2008 2:02:23 PM
CJ,
I generally tend to wait until AFTER I've seen a movie before I offer my critique of it.
Except Michael Bay movies. Those all suck. Even the ones he hasn't made yet.
Posted by: crispy | Sep 26, 2008 2:05:22 PM
I watched the video linked on queerty.com and unless they speak Italian and have Italian police (not to mention well-dressed handsome security guards speaking Italian) in Spain it happended in Italy. I vacationed in Italy this summer so I recognize the language and environment (police uniforms and cars).
I though Bruno was brilliant when he first appeared on cable years ago. Its a tremendous parody of the Austrian personality in addition to the gay element.
Now though after all these years, I'm going to wait till the movie comes to cable. I did the same with Wayne's World back in the day.
Posted by: Ed | Sep 26, 2008 2:13:18 PM
I love love love the poodle ball tassels! Prada is the best!
Posted by: Marc in Chicago | Sep 26, 2008 2:18:45 PM
Agatha Ruiz de la Prada… Marc, do not confuse this publicity seeking, half-wit talent with the great Miuccia Prada. Agatha has one little store in Paris buts does most of her "product" launches here anyway – she is only well known in her own country (Spain) and her "fashion" has nothing to do with what is going on in the major fashion capitals. She should kiss and lick the ground that Sasha Baron Cohen walked on for (as she seems to have been too stupid to realize) this was probably the best publicity, free or otherwise, she could have possibly gotten. My question is, why did He choose HER?
Posted by: Larry | Sep 26, 2008 2:38:31 PM
Charlie Chaplin, Marie Dressler, Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker, Mae West, Will Rogers, Billy Wilder, Ernie Kovacks, Jackie Gleeson, Lenny Bruce, Steve Allen, Godfrey Cambridge, Woody Allen, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Sandra Bernhardt, Chris Rock & SACHA BARON COHEN:
brilliant and, oh, so very brave.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 26, 2008 3:13:25 PM
Crispy:
I've read and seen interviews of "Bruno" and what Cohen's intent is with this movie. My comment is based on the concept of the character "Bruno", which if you haven't seen is a flamboyant, gay stereotype. Cohen is making this movie in the same fashion he made Borat; Borat was supposed to make fun of ignorance in America by Cohen portraying a foreign character who travels through the U.S., mocking those he encounters. Cohen has stated, in interviews, that "Bruno" is supposed to be a gay stereotype developed to poke fun at the ignorance in homophobia. My point is that issue is a hot button, especially in America and other nations such as Iraq, where homosexuals are actually being sentenced to death. If this is Cohen's intent, I truly see it backfiring. However, I have not SEEN the movie so no, I can not pass judgment. However, knowing the concept and having seen Borat, "Bruno" is a much more targeted character unlike Borat (Borat takes aim at a country, not a specific set of alienated and targeted people such as homosexuals). My only fear is the ignorant people who may see this movie and the negative effect it may have on their view of homosexuality. My comment was also a question of concern, not a statement.
Posted by: Cj | Sep 26, 2008 3:18:41 PM
CJ,
Wow. First, you judge the movie long before you see it (heck, before it's even finished filming!). And now you're making predictions of how it will be received?
Do you work for the McCain campaign?
Posted by: crispy | Sep 26, 2008 3:44:02 PM
CJ, to be really simple about it: Borat was intended to expose people's ignorance about someone they saw as different. Even a completely exaggerated foreigner who would never act that way in real life. In doing so, it showed how simplistic and stupid people could be.
Bruno is the same thing. An exaggerated character, again a foreigner. No one who sees this movie is going to think that Bruno represents gay people, just like Borat didn't draw huge crowds of rednecks and evangelicals who thought it was funny to see themselves mocked. This is insider humor for a targeted group. Bruno isn't just gay, he's also Austrian and a complete moron. His ideas of fashion are absurd and dated. He gets himself into absurd situations and milks them for humor.
That is it.
As for the claim that hiding his face was spineless, consider that Cohen wants to do other gags in Italy without being exposed, or that it was part of this gag. I think even his harshest critics would acknowledge that Cohen is fearless.
If you'd don't like it, don't watch it. Or maybe lighten up and consider it from a different perspective. This movie will likely not be half as successful as Borat because the character is gay. But who knows? Maybe it will be, and it will make a lot of homophobes look really stupid. As Crispy has noted, we can't say at this point.
Posted by: Paul R | Sep 26, 2008 4:40:28 PM
love him, can't wait to see it. tho I may wait for cable release, but who knows. welcome to the 'neo depression'
not to be confused with my own bouts with depression. lol
Posted by: richard s | Sep 26, 2008 5:27:20 PM
@Richard S:
Is "neo depression" like something with Keanu Reeves and the Matrix movies? 'Cuz those were depressing.
Posted by: hill_w | Sep 26, 2008 6:31:22 PM
Crispy, how does my comment on Bruno reflect on my politics? Why are you attacking me? I was simply making a comment. A lot of people didn't "get" Borat. Do you recall the lawsuits from people in that "documentary"? I simply stated SOME people may take this movie seriously. That is it. End of story. Sheesh. Take a pill and relllaaaaxxxx. :) We're friends here. Breath.
Posted by: CJ | Sep 26, 2008 8:38:22 PM
Sorry, CJ. The McCain jab was referencing the next post here on Towleroad about McCain's ads predicting he won the debate before it happened. Admittedly, it wasn't a very good joke.
You're right. Borat's humor is not for everyone. My boyfriend absolutely hates him and refused to watch the movie with me. He made it to the poop in a bag scene.
I have high hopes for Bruno. If you haven't seen it, go to Youtube and watch the video of Bruno in Daytona for Spring Break. It's clear he's making fun of frat boys, not gay people.
Posted by: crispy | Sep 27, 2008 12:11:38 AM
Crispy, it's all good :). Thanks babe. Did you see the debates tonight? Ugh. I waiting to see the results, although I'm thinking the VP debates will be much more telling. Hope you had a great night.
Posted by: Cj | Sep 27, 2008 3:03:39 AM
I use to model when I was younger and when someone would charge the runway like that it would really freak us out. This guy is cool but this is silly. Madrid is a fashion capital as well and Agatha is a great designer. She has many star clients in Europe including my country Greece and Monte Carlo where I live.
Posted by: Caligula | Sep 29, 2008 7:04:15 PM