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Ambassador’s fury at Brüno Hitler jibe
Last updated at 13:29pm on 08.07.09Sacha Baron Cohen is in trouble with the Austrian ambassador for his “cheap” jokes at the country's expense.
Controversy: comic Cohen as Brüno
The comedian who plays Brüno, a flamboyant gay fashion TV reporter from Austria in his latest film, has been slammed by the country's British envoy Emil Brix.
Mr Brix has urged people to boycott the movie, in which Brüno claims he wants to be “the biggest Austrian superstar since Hitler” and says of cellar monster Josef Fritzl that it is the “Austrian dream” to “have a job, find a dungeon and raise a family there”. Mr Brix said: “It's inappropriate. Everybody should speak up. The public will know how to react to this film.”
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Reader views (7)
Sacha Baron Cohen is Jewish and with his sense of humour he's pointing out the craziness of times past and in a way his stance on this. The Austrians need to chill out. SBC has had a good go at nearly everyone now - just leave him be. If you don't like it - tune out.
- Ds, Surrey
As an Austrian I find the Bruno character hilarious. Britain is World famous for making fun of not only itself but others in such a way as to highlight either their ignorance or arrogance. Unfortunately, our envoy has shown a little of both by reacting Cohen in this way.
He really shouldn't be an envoy to a culture and country he blantantly doesn't understand.
- Hansel, London
Yes lets not laugh at anything ever for fear of upsetting anyone.
- Daniel, Watford
Oh have another Ferria Roche and chill out
- Alan, London
Joke is on you KH. His humour is generally ironic, and by pretending to be something he is not, reveals the deeply held prejudices of the people he speaks with. The 'six year old' humour is a vehicle to show often a very sad underbelly.
- Ricky, Ladbroke Grove, London
Surely the ambassador must recognise that his country opened itself up to international ridicule from the moment they cheered the Nazi tanks over their border in 1938. Cohen's shrewd choice of nationality for his latest creation is not random, I'm sure.
- Keith, King's Cross, London
why do people think this cohen person is even remotely funny? oh i know they are the type of people who also have the intelligence of a six year old and therefore find it acceptable to laugh at other cultures..................pathetic really.
- Kh, London UK
