One of the writers of the new Ali G movie has defended the film from accusations that it perpetuates racial stereotypes.
Sacha Baron Cohen returns to the role that made him famous in Ali G: Who Is I?, a sequel to the 2002 movie Ali G In Da House. While the character has been presented a pastiche of cultural appropriation, critics have accused the character of actually amplifying racial stereotypes in a way that is harmful.
Media monitoring organisation NewsCord led an email campaign, encouraging cinemagoers to contact cinema chains to demand they not show the movie. On the campaign’s landing page, their statement quotes critics who have called the character “an alibi for racism” and compared the comedy to Black and White Minstrel shows. At the time of writing, over 55,000 emails had been sent in the campaign, while cinema chain Picturehouse revealed it has “no current plans” to show the movie.
Now Colton Dunn, one of the writers on the film, spoke to Deadline about his involvement in the movie, and countered the accusations made against the performance. “From my point of view, Ali G is not a racist character. Ali G is a tool to expose racists,” he said. “He puts himself in the most ridiculous situations, and he doesn’t do that because he’s racist.”
“He goes into these crazy-ass places, places where people would kill him if they knew what was going down. I don’t think he’s doing that from a racist point of view,” he continued. “That’s why I signed on. I wouldn’t sign on to work with somebody that I thought was racist, that’s against everything that I’ve done.”
Ali G: Who Iz I?, will be released on October 23, having been filmed in secret. Recently, Ed Sheeran reacted to being referenced in the trailer for the film.
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