GLAAD Is Reported Not To Be Happy With "Bruno" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 06-19-2009, 05:19 AM

Gay Rights Group Ask Studio Bosses To Add Positive Message To Bruno Film
18 June 2009 3:00 PM, PDT

America's leading gay rights group is asking the studio heads behind Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie Bruno to add a tolerance message at the end of the film - because activists fear the funnyman's stereotypes in the film go too far.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) claims Cohen uses every negative gay stereotype in his portrayal of outrageous Austrian Bruno, and leaders feel executives should make amends for the movie's depiction of homosexuals by adding a positive message at the end.

GLAAD spokesman Rashad Robinson tells Eonline.com, "We have very mixed emotions about the movie. Those of us who saw the film agreed that you can't critique it as a single film because it's more like 90 minutes of individual sketches. Some are funny and hit their mark but others hit the gay community instead."

Universal studio bosses have refused to add the pro-gay message.

A statement from the studio's press office reads, "Bruno uses provocative comedy to powerfully shed light on the absurdity of many kinds of intolerance and ignorance, including homophobia."

But Robinson insists, "This movie does not unmask stereotypes... As someone who sat at the back of a focus group audience... I felt they were laughing at us at times."

The film is released on 7 July.

-IMDB News

Will BRÜNO Wound Gay Pride?
17 June 2009 11:44 AM, PDT

Gay activists are expressing concern that Sacha Baron Cohen's Brüno may have the unintended effect of reinforcing negative stereotypes about homosexuals -- despite Cohen's obvious attempt to lampoon homophobia.

"We do feel the intentions of the filmmakers are in the right place -- satire of this form can unmask homophobia -- but at the same time it can heighten people's discomfort with our community," Rashad Robinson of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation told Reuters.

The wire service reported that GLAAD's request that Cohen add a message to the film about gay rights and tolerance was rejected by Universal, the studio releasing it. "Brüno uses provocative comedy to powerfully shed light on the absurdity of many kinds of intolerance and ignorance, including homophobia," the studio said.

-IMDB News

06-19-2009, 05:19 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	GLAAD Is Reported Not To Be Happy With "Bruno" *Gay Rights Group Ask Studio Bosses To Add Positive Message To Bruno* Film** 18 June 2009 3:00 PM, PDT America's leading gay rights group is asking the studio heads behind Sacha Baron Cohen's new movie Bruno to add a tolerance message at the end of the film - because activists fear the funnyman's stereotypes in the film go too far. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) claims Cohen uses every negative gay stereotype in his portrayal of outrageous Austrian Bruno, and leaders feel executives should make amends for the movie's depiction of homosexuals by adding a positive message at the end. GLAAD spokesman Rashad Robinson tells Eonline.com, "We have very mixed emotions about the movie. Those of us who saw the film agreed that you can't critique it as a single film because it's more like 90 minutes of individual sketches. Some are funny and hit their mark but others hit the gay community instead." Universal studio bosses have refused to add the pro-gay message. A statement from the studio's press office reads, "Bruno uses provocative comedy to powerfully shed light on the absurdity of many kinds of intolerance and ignorance, including homophobia." But Robinson insists, "This movie does not unmask stereotypes... As someone who sat at the back of a focus group audience... I felt they were laughing at us at times." The film is released on 7 July. -IMDB News *Will BRÜNO* Wound Gay Pride?** 17 June 2009 11:44 AM, PDT Gay activists are expressing concern that Sacha Baron Cohen's Brüno may have the unintended effect of reinforcing negative stereotypes about homosexuals -- despite Cohen's obvious attempt to lampoon homophobia. "We do feel the intentions of the filmmakers are in the right place -- satire of this form can unmask homophobia -- but at the same time it can heighten people's discomfort with our community," Rashad Robinson of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation told Reuters. The wire service reported that GLAAD's request that Cohen add a message to the film about gay rights and tolerance was rejected by Universal, the studio releasing it. "Brüno uses provocative comedy to powerfully shed light on the absurdity of many kinds of intolerance and ignorance, including homophobia," the studio said. -IMDB News