View Full Version : (7/11/09) GLAAD takes a stand against ‘Bruno’ - Group says the film ‘decreases the public’s comfort with gay people’ (MSNBC/AP)
VotingHillary
07-12-2009, 12:15 AM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31856995/ns/entertainment-movies/
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 an early screening of the film, 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.”
More at the link.
Good for GLAAD to not succumb to the PC of Hollywood that is ok when liberals do it, but call out when the community is being disrespected by conservatives. For those the defend Sasha Baron Cohen, would you also defend the "black-face" comedians?
Spang
07-12-2009, 12:26 AM
For those the defend Sasha Baron Cohen, would you also defend the "black-face" comedians?
I support Sasha Baron Cohen, so I guess I have no choice. However, I've not yet seen the film. I'll more than likely see it the day it's released on DVD.
I literally just walked in the door from seeing the movie.
Yes, some parts were definitely funny. And I did laugh a lot.
But some parts definitely weren't. So I also cringed a lot wondering if what I had just seen would reinforce negative stereotypes about gay men.
I am sure gay and straight people will have somewhat different views on this movie...
I found "Borat" a lot funnier than "Bruno" but maybe that's because I had no personal connection to the stereotypes he portrayed in "Borat" - I have no connection with Kazahkstan! In "Bruno" I am obviously more connected to the stereotypes portrayed and, therefore, more sensitive to the negative portrayals.
If the only people to ever watch this movie were gay, I don't think there would be any negative fallout - as a gay person I saw the humor in many of the ridiculous things Bruno did in the movie (especially the interview with the gay converter - that was funny!).
But there are some people who won't actually "get" the humor and won't see any deeper message to the film, and in this regard the stereotypes portrayed are damaging. Actually, I am not even sure there was any deeper message....:thinking:
VotingHillary
07-12-2009, 12:34 AM
Actually, I am not even sure there was any deeper message....:thinking:
I won't go see this just because I saw some of Sasha's appearances and was so damn disgusted...I just don't want to spend my money on this.
Borat I saw on HBO...wasn't really impressed with that either. He seems rather mean-spirited.
I won't go see this just because I saw some of Sasha's appearances and was so damn disgusted...I just don't want to spend my money on this.
Borat I saw on HBO...wasn't really impressed with that either. He seems rather mean-spirited.
If there was a deeper message, it was more about the insanity of seeking fame/celebrity than it was about anything to do with being gay.
Spang
07-12-2009, 12:42 AM
If there was a deeper message, it was more about the insanity of seeking fame/celebrity than it was about anything to do with being gay.
I was under the impression that this film took a lot of shots at rednecks and homophobes. Was that not the case?
I was under the impression that this film took a lot of shots at rednecks and homophobes. Was that not the case?
Yes, there is some of that. But that is not the central theme/focus of the movie. Well it didn't seem to be anyway. The movie is actually quite chaotic and haphazard so it's hard to identify the core theme/s in a simple way.
cinnamongirl
07-12-2009, 12:59 AM
Hmm...does anyone have concrete stats on approval for Kazakhs after Borat came out? :)
Seriously, though, Cohen's Bruno antics are cringe-worthy so much of the time. But part of me likes the fact that at least he's putting it out there, where people can't dismiss him. There will always be bigots, but at least people in general are getting comfortable with gayness on a bigger cultural level.
That said, I can easily see how his act is perceived as a kind of betrayal, exaggerating stereotypes to a crazy level.
Hmm...does anyone have concrete stats on approval for Kazakhs after Borat came out? :)
Seriously, though, Cohen's Bruno antics are cringe-worthy so much of the time. But part of me likes the fact that at least he's putting it out there, where people can't dismiss him. There will always be bigots, but at least people in general are getting comfortable with gayness on a bigger cultural level.
That said, I can easily see how his act is perceived as a kind of betrayal, exaggerating stereotypes to a crazy level.
In a way, his portrayal is so extreme, so absurd, that it makes the average gay man look extremely boring, normal and 100% non-threatening by comparison!!!
In a way, his portrayal is so extreme, so absurd, that it makes the average gay man look extremely boring, normal and 100% non-threatening by comparison!!!
LOL So the next time you see a gay person, you'll just keep going! :rotfl:
I still want to see this movie btw!
VotingHillary
07-12-2009, 01:07 AM
In a way, his portrayal is so extreme, so absurd, that it makes the average gay man look extremely boring, normal and 100% non-threatening by comparison!!!
That is such a major rationalization, friend, for the disrepect he has shown.
Horizon
07-12-2009, 01:10 AM
In a way, his portrayal is so extreme, so absurd, that it makes the average gay man look extremely boring, normal and 100% non-threatening by comparison!!!
Maybe THAT was his intent?? At least that was what I have gotten from his appearances on various talk shows and clips I have seen. To put the stereotypes out there to make people really think about how "normal" and average gays are. Thats just my take.
I found Borat hysterical, but my sons teacher at the time did NOT! His wife is from Kazakhstan and she was appalled.
cinnamongirl
07-12-2009, 01:11 AM
In a way, his portrayal is so extreme, so absurd, that it makes the average gay man look extremely boring, normal and 100% non-threatening by comparison!!!
Yeah. A friendly gay couple will move in next door, and people will think, "Hmm, I don't see a single velcro suit anywhere! Let's invite them over for a BBQ." :)
Maybe THAT was his intent?? At least that was what I have gotten from his appearances on various talk shows and clips I have seen. To put the stereotypes out there to make people really think about how "normal" and average gays are. Thats just my take.
It's possible, but not something that would be obvious to many. I think there is potentially some truth in this view however.
"Bruno", the character, acts out many steretoypes about gay men and when you see them all acted out by one person it becomes very clear how ridiculous and stupid these stereotypes are, and how 99% of gay men have almost nothing in common with "Bruno".
Yeah. A friendly gay couple will move in next door, and people will think, "Hmm, I don't see a single velcro suit anywhere! Let's invite them over for a BBQ." :)
The velcro suit was pretty funny. As was his tumble onto the runway tangled up in the various items that became attached to the suit!
Spang
07-12-2009, 01:19 AM
"Bruno", the character, acts out many steretoypes about gay men and when you see them all acted out by one person it becomes very clear how ridiculous and stupid these stereotypes are, and how 99% of gay men have almost nothing in common with "Bruno".
That's what I anticipated the movie to do. While also being highly controversial and pushing more envelopes than the Postal Service.
'Bruno' sashays to box-office fame with $30.4M (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ia1FPSxXY_CtWNU2djwNxRbGiU3wD99CVTEO0)
Gay Austrian fashion devotee Bruno has proven he has serious box-office clout.
Sacha (SAH'-shuh) Baron Cohen's mock documentary "Bruno" took in $30.4 million to lead the weekend for Hollywood. Baron Cohen's bawdy movie outpaced the $26.5 million opening weekend for his surprise 2006 hit "Borat," in which he played a clueless Kazakh journalist touring America.
"Bruno" features Baron Cohen as an Austrian wannabe going to extremes to achieve celebrity.
"Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" was No. 2 for the weekend with $28.5 million. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," which had held the No. 1 spot the previous two weekends, came in third.
Ikasu
07-12-2009, 01:41 PM
I found Borat hysterical, but my sons teacher at the time did NOT! His wife is from Kazakhstan and she was appalled.
Not from Kazakhstan, but I found Borat very offensive. A foreigner comes to the US from another country (specifically in the Middle East/Asian region) and he's probably racist, sexist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic. That's the message the movie sent to the average viewer, even if the movie's intent was to ridicule xenophobia.
I haven't watched Bruno, but I would imagine a similar reasoning applies. I think many people do not pick up satire well in a movie or documentary.
I think many people do not pick up satire well in a movie or documentary.
Yes, and that's the problem.
hillary4change
07-12-2009, 08:49 PM
[SIZE="3"]Isn't this the same guy that came down out of the rafters at an awards show, dressed as an angel and stuck his crotch in M n M's face?
That was weird to say the least. I am not sure what his message was to be in that little stunt. Gay men lack control and stick their crotches in peoples faces?? I don't know what he was trying to pull off. But it was stupid, I have heard M n M was in on it and that he wasn't, also that he got up and left after that. I am not sure which is true.[SIZE]
Spang
07-12-2009, 08:56 PM
Isn't this the same guy that came down out of the rafters at an awards show, dressed as an angel and stuck his crotch in M n M's face?
That was weird to say the least. I am not sure what his message was to be in that little stunt. Gay men lack control and stick their crotches in peoples faces?? I don't know what he was trying to pull off. But it was stupid, I have heard M n M was in on it and that he wasn't, also that he got up and left after that. I am not sure which is true.
It was staged. Eminem had already done his performance and there was really no need for him to sit through and watch a bunch of crappy movies win a bunch of meaningless awards.
There's numerous sources out there but here's one of them. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/06/the-final-word-on-eminembruno-it-was-staged-writes-head-writer.html)
TheTaoOfBill
07-13-2009, 02:22 AM
I think the first step in eliminating gay stereotypes is ending the gay pride parade.
Having a bunch of gay men dance around dressed in S&M clothes does the gay community no favors.
And let's face it. The gay pride parade wouldn't be as entertaining without S&M clothes.
So they really need to just end it.
I mean it would be like having a black pride parade where everyone was drinking malt liquor and stealing the radios out of every car the parade passed.
A comment (http://www.thebrunomovie.com/bruno-movie/one-giant-step-backwards/#comment-3030) submitted to the movie's official site which makes a suggestion for SBC's next movie:
Heterosexuals are outsiders with prejudices to homosexuality. They are not capable of knowing what is anti-gay. This movie only serves to validate heterosexuals wrong and bigoted prejudices of gay men.
If SBC really had balls, his next movie would be called “Hymie”, about Hymie, a greedy Jewish banker, who along with his big hooked nose, curly hair and constant use of “Oy vey”, kvetches his way through life, plotting to steal Christian babies and install a Jewish run world government, avoiding anything physical because we all know that Jews can’t play sports. Now *that* would be ballsy.
Yeah, hell’d freeze over before he’d do something like that, easier to do that boring routine with The Gays.
A comment (http://www.thebrunomovie.com/bruno-movie/one-giant-step-backwards/#comment-3030) submitted to the movie's official site which makes a suggestion for SBC's next movie:
Well he already took on Kazakhstan! What makes you (Not you Murray) think he won't do that!:thinking:
Well he already took on Kazakhstan! What makes you (Not you Murray) think he won't do that!:thinking:
I think the commenter was suggesting that SBC takes the easy road with who he will insult, that it's far easier to get away with insulting some groups than others - like it's easy to insult people from Kazhakstan, easy to insult gay men, but not easy to do a parody movie insulting jewish people. And I think the person who made that comment is probably right.
I think the commenter was suggesting that SBC takes the easy road with who he will insult, that it's far easier to get away with insulting some groups than others - like it's easy to insult people from Kazhakstan, easy to insult gay men, but not easy to do a parody movie insulting jewish people. And I think the person who made that comment is probably right.
Apparently it is that easy. The commenter himself did a pretty damn good job at summing it up.
I think the first step in eliminating gay stereotypes is ending the gay pride parade.
Having a bunch of gay men dance around dressed in S&M clothes does the gay community no favors.
And let's face it. The gay pride parade wouldn't be as entertaining without S&M clothes.
So they really need to just end it.
I mean it would be like having a black pride parade where everyone was drinking malt liquor and stealing the radios out of every car the parade passed.
Well, thinking that a gay pride parade accurately reflects "gay life" is like thinking that "Bruno" accurately reflects "gay life". Neither do.
Some other points of view in regards to the movie (as submitted to the movie's official promo site):
Cody: (http://www.thebrunomovie.com/bruno-movie/one-giant-step-backwards/#comment-3058)
After reading alexis’s comment, I am even more pumped to see this movie than I was earlier. Dont you people get it, the whole point behind the movie is to be crude and a giant stereotype. The film is supposed to make americans uncomfortable because “gay” things are happening on the screen. Thats the point. If you didn’t know that going in then you didn’t see the preview. Borat made fun of the middle east in its jokes, but the real backbone of all the humor is making fun of Americans. Bruno is no different, its just making fun of the way America handles the issue of “gay”, and if it offends anyone, then the movie has done what it was intended to do. The movie is supposed to shock you, and is definitely supposed to be full of negative gay stereotypes. Cohen would not get the reactions needed if he played a gay guy that did not act super gay. For people saying this is bad for gays, this is a COMEDY not a documentary. Everything bruno says in the movie is not supposed to show how gays are, but make people onscreen extremely uncomfortable and people in the theaters laugh. Im seeing the movie in less than a hour, I already know Im going to laugh the whole time. Please dont take what bruno says as fact about gay people, just like you shouldn’t believe borats sister is #1 prostitute and his mother is oldest in Kazakhstan, at the age of 43.
Amber: (http://www.thebrunomovie.com/bruno-movie/one-giant-step-backwards/#comment-3146)
People have always been too senetive. From the music of Eminem to movies like this, and way more. People can’t just relax and take a step back and really look at things for what they are. I’m an active civil rights supporter, being big on issues and debates, striving for the rights of women, minorities and gays especially. And you know what? I went to see this movie last night and laughed so incredibly hard. People who let things like this offend them are just uptight and way too serious. Learn to let your walls down and actually LAUGH. Jokes are just that: jokes. If people would just stop being offended at every little thing, maybe the world would truly be a better place if people could just learn to LAUGH at themselves. People who have mental handicaps laugh at themselves, African American’s laugh at themselves, gays, straights, short, tall, fat or skinny. Really, get over yourselves. Is it really worth it to sit there and be angry instead of just laughing? People will always be offended no matter what. It’s really time to get just over it and yourself, and have some fun.
Suzan
07-13-2009, 04:31 AM
I like the comments, but I'm not sure the answer is as simple as loosening up and laughing. There's a lack of visible gay role models in politics and business that allows too many people to buy into the stereotypes about gays. That's what they see most of the time on TV, movies, etc., and they have too few comparisons.
This was what concerned me about the movie. I saw it earlier tonight and it is very funny. Hilarious, at times, but I'm not sure homophobes will get the message, which is about gay stereotypes, along with the obsession to be famous. And if you're not homophobic you don't need this movie to tell you that SBC is orbiting the earth he's so far out there. Lord, he's funny and several of the skits are just so goofy and outrageous, but I'm with those of you who think he's not going to get through to the people who need to get the message.
Brüno's Gay Dilemma Rages On (http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b133830_bruumlnos_gay_dilemma_rages_on.html)
Sacha Baron Cohen's Brüno may have been No. 1 at the box office this weekend, but it's not at the top of some gay activists' must-see movie lists.
In fact, GLAAD issued a statement from its incoming president, Jarrett Barrios, on Friday, the day of the movie's release, expressing disappointment in Cohen's use of too many gay stereotypes...
"This is about the gay kid in Nebraska who gets pushed around in school and when he goes back to school this September, he's going to be called 'Brüno,' " Barrios explained to me this morning.
GLAAD had hoped its many discussions with the film's studio, Universal Pictures, would convince Cohen & Co. to tone down some of the more offensive scenes in the movie. However, Universal has continually maintained that Bruno's intent is to challenge homophobia.
"We are concerned," Barrios said, "that too often in its attempt to expose homophobia, it ends up opening up gay folks to new discrimination and violence."
Meanwhile, Brüno appears on the August cover of gay magazine Out.
An accompanying Q&A with the flamboyant Austrian fashion journalist (Cohen always does press in character) addresses such topics as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Michelle Obama and Sex and the City.
"Yes, he is puerile, offensive, and utterly inappropriate, but so what?" the magazine's editor in chief, Aaron Hicklin, writes in his Editor's Letter. "The same has been said of Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, and Sarah Silverman, comic geniuses all, whose humor rests on having the balls to say 'boo' to the ghost in the room. The ghost in this case is homophobia, although whether it's being lampooned or perpetuated is part of the tension that makes the movie work."
Suzan
07-14-2009, 03:21 AM
"Yes, he is puerile, offensive, and utterly inappropriate, but so what?" the magazine's editor in chief, Aaron Hicklin, writes in his Editor's Letter. "The same has been said of Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, and Sarah Silverman, comic geniuses all, whose humor rests on having the balls to say 'boo' to the ghost in the room. The ghost in this case is homophobia, although whether it's being lampooned or perpetuated is part of the tension that makes the movie work."
This is a very familiar--and circular--argument about social responsibility being sacrificed at the alter of artistic expression. But in this case they're saying that the movie's purpose IS social responsibility, so it's okay not to be socially responsible.
This was what concerned me about the movie. I saw it earlier tonight and it is very funny. Hilarious, at times, but I'm not sure homophobes will get the message, which is about gay stereotypes, along with the obsession to be famous. And if you're not homophobic you don't need this movie to tell you that SBC is orbiting the earth he's so far out there. Lord, he's funny and several of the skits are just so goofy and outrageous, but I'm with those of you who think he's not going to get through to the people who need to get the message.
That's pretty much my view also.
Spang
07-14-2009, 03:42 AM
Shortly after Milk was released on DVD, I purchased it and watched it and loved it. It was damn near flawless; excellent directing, excellent acting, excellent storytelling, excellent everything. It was an amazing piece of cinema. At times I would watch the film from the eyes of a homophobe. Especially during the scenes where 2 dudes are making out and whatnot. It didn't bother me, but I'm not a homophobe. Had I been a homophobe, I'd probably walk out of the theater or turn off the television and be outraged or whatever.
But just because some ignorant redneck homophobe isn't going to get it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be made. There's a reason we call them ignorant.
Suzan
07-14-2009, 04:06 AM
Shortly after Milk was released on DVD, I purchased it and watched it and loved it. It was damn near flawless; excellent directing, excellent acting, excellent storytelling, excellent everything. It was an amazing piece of cinema. At times I would watch the film from the eyes of a homophobe. Especially during the scenes where 2 dudes are making out and whatnot. It didn't bother me, but I'm not a homophobe. Had I been a homophobe, I'd probably walk out of the theater or turn off the television and be outraged or whatever.
But just because some ignorant redneck homophobe isn't going to get it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be made. There's a reason we call them ignorant.
You need to see this movie, lol! It's NOTHING like Milk. It's Milk's evil twin, to say the least.
I wasn't saying the movie shouldn't be made. I just didn't love hearing that it was all about social responsibility. Bruno definitely takes a stab at debunking the stereotypes, but that isn't the sole intent. SBC is a comedian and that's what's driving this movie, imo. He's playing it for all the laughs he can get, while skewering some ignorance and bigotry along the way.
TheTaoOfBill
07-14-2009, 05:05 PM
Well, thinking that a gay pride parade accurately reflects "gay life" is like thinking that "Bruno" accurately reflects "gay life". Neither do.
Agreed. But I just don't think the way people act in the gay pride parade is something gay's should be displaying "pride" for.
They should call it the S&M pride parade. Or the "People who like to dress in body paint and feathers" pride parade.
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