Sacha Baron Cohen, a British comedian, actor, and writer, is renowned for his satirical and frequently provocative personas like Borat and Ali G. He’s earned widespread recognition for his distinctive comedic approach and has been honored with numerous awards, including Golden Globes and Emmy Awards, for his contributions to both the film and television industries.
Sacha Baron Cohen revealed that he experienced real fear for his safety during the filming of Bruno in Arkansas during the 2000s. Bruno, a film depicting a gay Austrian fashion journalist’s journey in the US, was released in 2009.
Sacha Baron Cohen Feared For His Life After This Scene
In a well-known scene filmed in Arkansas, Bruno masquerades as an ultimate cage fighter at an actual event, challenging a random audience member to a fight. Little did the onlookers realize, the volunteer was actually Bruno’s partner, and the two quickly began engaging in intimate actions in the middle of the ring.
Cohen told TIME:
“A few times in my career, I have genuinely feared for my life. In Arkansas, I posed as an ultimate fighter at a cage match and challenged anyone in the audience to take me on. When my fake ex-boyfriend volunteered, we engaged in some heavy petting, triggering a near riot,” he said. “The crowd – including some recently paroled prisoners with swastika tattoos – erupted in homophobic slurs and started hurling metal chairs at us. Had I not ducked into a trapdoor and out an escape tunnel, I think the crowd would have beaten me senseless.”
Released in 2009, Bruno is a satirical comedy film that follows Bruno, an eccentric Austrian fashion journalist, on a hilariously bizarre expedition across the United States. It employs humor to tackle subjects like bias, sexuality, and celebrity culture.
Sacha Baron Cohen Loved Working With Martin Scorsese
Venturing beyond his comedic roots, Sacha Baron Cohen embarked on a new path with his role in Hugo. What made it even more extraordinary was his collaboration with the iconic director Martin Scorsese. Reflecting on his experience working with Scorsese, Cohen confessed to being taken aback by the legendary director.
Cohen told The Georgia Straight:
“I expected him to be an auteur and he is. But I think that part of his power and the reason why his films are so successful is that he is ready to collaborate fully with his actors.”
Cohen and Martin Scorsese engaged in a tight-knit collaboration to craft the character of Inspector Gustave. While the initial script centered on Gustave apprehending children and sending them to an orphanage, Cohen was resolute about delving into the character’s underlying motivations and complexities.
Bruno is available for rent or purchase on Google Play.
Source: TIME, The Georgia Straight
