The Aporia
The Aporia
Lewis, I. (2026, August 28). UK cinema chain ‘has no current plans’ to show new Ali G film amid backlash. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/ali-g-film-picturehouse-cinemas-sacha-baron-cohen-b1294977.html
Lewis, Isobel. “UK cinema chain ‘has no current plans’ to show new Ali G film amid backlash.” Evening Standard, 28 Aug. 2026, https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/ali-g-film-picturehouse-cinemas-sacha-baron-cohen-b1294977.html.
Lewis, Isobel. “UK cinema chain ‘has no current plans’ to show new Ali G film amid backlash.” Evening Standard, August 28, 2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/ali-g-film-picturehouse-cinemas-sacha-baron-cohen-b1294977.html.
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Sacha Baron Cohen, 54, is reviving his character Ali G, a white man from Staines who impersonates Black-British culture, in a new film. However, a major UK cinema chain, Picturehouse Cinemas, with 25 cinemas across the country, including 11 in London, has said it has "no current plans" to show the film due to backlash over its depiction of racist stereotypes. The character was first introduced in 1998 and gained popularity through a Channel 4 series and the 2002 film Ali G Indahouse. Critics argue that Ali G's portrayal perpetuates negative stereotypes, with some calling for major cinemas to refuse to screen the film. A campaign has emerged against showing the film, claiming it "enforces racist stereotypes" under the guise of satire. The backlash is likely linked to a 2000 controversy where The Real McCoy's Felix Dexter accused Baron Cohen of using racist humor.
