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Republican leader threatens lawsuit over Ali G film
First reported Oct 22, 11:00 AM ET · Latest Oct 22, 11:10 AM ET · Explainer updated Oct 22, 11:32 AM ET
Where things stand
The Guardian reports that the chair of the El Paso County Republican Party says he plans to sue filmmaker Sacha Baron Cohen over the new movie “Ali G: Who Iz I?”. Variety published a review describing the film as a comedic, absurdist take on the Ali G character, noting its mixed humor.
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Answers come only from our reporting on this story, with the sources they rest on. If it doesn’t say, we’ll tell you.
What changed
The latest development is the Republican leader’s announced intent to file a lawsuit, which was not mentioned in the earlier Variety review.
Questions we’re following
- It is unclear what legal grounds the Republican leader will cite, how the film’s producers will respond, and whether any court action will actually be filed. Open
Background
“Ali G: Who Iz I?” is a new film by Sacha Baron Cohen that revives his satirical character Ali G, presenting him as the central figure in a chaotic, comedy‑driven storyline. The Republican chair, Michael Aboud, says he was misled into participating under the belief he was part of a documentary, not a comedy.
What to watch
No specific date for any legal filing or court hearing has been reported.
Timeline of reporting
- Republican leader embarrassed by Ali G film says he plans to sue Sacha Baron Cohen: ‘A liar and a pervert’ — The Guardian
Exclusive: Michael Aboud, whose actions in what he believed to be a documentary are likely to come under considerable scrutiny, has expressed anger at the film-maker • This article contains spoilers for Ali G: Who Iz I? The chair of the El Paso County Republic
- ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Review: Sacha Baron Cohen Brings Back His Cretinous Fake OG Talk-Show Host, Only Now Ali G Is the Film’s ‘Political’ Subject. A Mistake, Innit? — Variety
By turning Ali G into the doofus antihero of his own absurdist saga, "Who Iz I?" essentially becomes Sacha Baron Cohen’s version of a "Saturday Night Live" movie, like "MacGruber" or "Stuart Saves His Family" or "A Night at the Roxbury." The film has scattered
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