What Do The Critics Say

"Brüno is a brave and necessary comedy. The film will appear to be a succès de scandale, and will outrage many people, but it is actually just a success, a film with an instinct for naming and shaming a host of overprotected wrongs. Go and see it." Andrew O'Hagan THIS IS ENGLAND "You'll watch most of it through splayed fingers, and at times you'll need a spare hand to pick your jaw up off the cinema floor." Dan Rookwood TIME OUT SYDNEY "Sacha Baron Cohen might be a one trick pony, but he sure knows how to give the audience, ahem, a good ride." Erin Free FILMINK "Brüno is easily one of the most offensive films in years, and that is what makes it awesome." Kevin Carr 7M MOVIES "Get ready for more shock waves. Sacha Baron Cohen again pushes the sociopolitical comedy envelope as far as he can." Kit Bowen THE MOVIE KIT "All the cautions and qualifications in the world are blasted out of your head by some of the film's astoundingly hilarious ideas and sequences." Shawn Levy OREGONIAN "An enormous schwanstucker of a comedy - hilarious, raw, shocking. Sign me up girlfriend." Richard Knight WINDY CITY TIMES "Howlingly funny, staggeringly rude, brutally incorrect and very often just brilliant." Peter Bradshaw UK GUARDIAN "Some of the scenes do beg the question of if they were staged or not, but after the first ten minutes or so you're laughing too hard to really care." Matthew Razak DC EXAMINER "Even if this is the end, we must applaud his audacity, even if we can't always bear to watch it in action. Is this comedic genius? As Brüno would say: Ich think so." Connie Ogle MIAMI HERALD "Those who last beyond the first few minutes will be treated to a film that's more focused than Borat, with more jokes, less fluff, and enough social awareness to step on some toes. And it saves the best stunt for last." Robert Davis PASTE MAGAZINE

The Inside Story Following the global spotlight cast on Borat, the worldwide filmic journey of Austria’s most famous fashionista (and the host of Funkyzeit Mit Brüno) began with the filmmaker's simple question of "Can we pull this off again?" Turns out it was possible: if they could keep their star and creative force both out of jail and alive until the end of the shoot. If director Larry Charles and producers Sacha Baron Cohen, Dan Mazer, Jay Roach and Monica Levinson discovered nothing else from their time on Borat, they learned to live by one rule: "Know and obey the law, and always have an escape plan." They were sure that if Baron Cohen got arrested or hurt, the production would have to shut down and they could be delayed for weeks. That maxim informed every aspect of the production, and they were able to stick to that plan. Well, all but once. While the majority of films have a strict daily schedule in which cast and crew know what is expected of them, the Brüno team didn’t enjoy that luxury. Each afternoon before a day of production, the group had to determine what they would lens the next day. They plotted their course, got on the scene and shot in rapid-fire succession. Then, it was off to the next locale to push the limits without breaking the law. Believing it was crucial to top the extreme comedy they’d achieved with Borat, the team moved the needle much further on this production and had more serious police encounters than before. It didn’t stop there. The crew found themselves receiving calls from the FBI warning of death threats and dodging clenched fists, angry mobs and loaded guns at every step of the way. Experience from Borat had taught that the entire cast and crew had to be on board (and working with the utmost confidentiality) to make sure that the guerilla filmmaking worked. From Baron Cohen’s getting hauled away by the Milanese police after filming a show-stopping appearance at designer Agatha Ruiz De La Prada’s event to his interrogation and strip search by the officers, there was never a dull moment on the globetrotting set. Over nineteen non-consecutive weeks during an entire year, the "well-oiled and completely disorganized machine" shot footage. By staying small, stealthy and relying upon the talents of a confidential pack of people, they were able to capture what’s never been seen before on film. Traveling in five vehicles (three vans, one getaway minivan and one RV that doubled as a production room and changing room), the cast and crew made their way across America, Europe and the Middle East. Traversing Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C., to Kansas, Texas, Alabama and Arkansas in America to London, Berlin, Paris and Milan in Europe and Jordan and Israel in the Middle East, they kept an exhausting schedule. When Baron Cohen and his fellow writers imagined setting up Brüno as a reporter at a European fashion week where he would meet his Waterloo, they explored the various events that he could attend in a time frame that would work for filming. Not wanting to hedge their bets on one location, the filmmakers went to New York City, Paris and Milan and secured credentials for multiple seasons of those cities’ respective fashion weeks. The team made it to Milan Fashion Week in late September 2008. They had imagined a gag in which Baron Cohen as Brüno would, dressed in a suit made entirely out of Velcro, exit a car outside a fashion week arena and sneak his way onto the runway; director Charles and the camera crew would capture it all. Early attempts to get into other shows failed when security recognized and banned all the key players of the production. The officers called the police and threw Camp Brüno out while they accused them of stealing clothing. Brüno had been blackballed from Milan Fashion Week. The Italian Chamber of Fashion issued a press release to designers and warned them of the possibility Baron Cohen would try to crash their events; they further advised access be denied to Brüno’s production company. With an image out on television stations and across the Internet, Baron Cohen was a man on the run. For their part, the Milanese police declared he would be arrested on sight. Everyone was looking to take down the fabulous talk-show host with the acerbic wit. While any future attempts appeared fruitless, the team was not accustomed to throwing in the towel. Their solution? Baron Cohen insisted that they change everyone’s appearance and create an entirely new crew. Director Charles shaved his beard and modified his hairstyle; likewise, producer Mazer cut his hair, as did other members of the Milanese camera crew. Everyone involved in the final stunt changed his or her outfits. Complete with haute couture scarves and funky glasses, they became entirely new fashionistas to fit in with the others. This would be the team’s last chance to get the Velcro scene the writers had carefully constructed. Standing between them and the stunt? Extra police and tighter security were brought in to comb the area for Brüno. The producers were euphoric when Baron Cohen (as Brüno in a Velcro suit covered with clothing) fell onto the runway. The crowd went wild in outrage while the cameras rolled. Just as the team caught the footage they needed, security shut the lights off and dragged Baron Cohen off the stage. Police cuffed the actor and hauled him to jail while his fellow crewmembers chased him down. Though he claimed that he’d made an honest mistake: he’d simply put on a Velcro suit and walked in. Baron Cohen was strip searched and questioned by seven police officers. When the writers were crafting Brüno’s journey, they realized he needed a partner in crime as he traveled the globe. To cast the part of the fashion host’s second assistant, the initially meek (and hopelessly in love with his boss) Lutz, the production conducted an exhaustive search; casting sessions were done in the U.S., Germany, London and multiple other locales. Lutz would be the perfect “straight man” for Brüno, going along with his insane ideas such as swindling a baby from an African tribe and trying to become heterosexual. And he did it all in the name of love. During auditions, producer Dan Mazer recalled an actor from one of his favorite films, a Swedish comedy from writer/director Lukas Moodysson called Tillsammans (Together). He had been moved by Gustaf Hammarsten’s performance and insisted the team bring in the actor to try out for the part. When he read for the role, they knew they found their Lutz. In Brüno’s quest to be über famous, he would find some curious interview subjects. None were more fascinating, however, than those who should be much more media savvy: celebrities. From Paula Abdul and La Toya Jackson to Brittny Gastineau and Ron Paul, Baron Cohen managed to have singers, reality stars and politicians say and do more on camera than you can even imagine. One of the more astonishing social experiments was the use of 'Mexican Chair People'. American Idol judge Paula Abdul and infamous Jackson sister La Toya Jackson agreed to be interviewed by Herr Brüno and sit on the help. During the time period he was running for U.S. president, Ron Paul was interviewed for the film. Paul stormed off the set, Baron Cohen was whisked out of the suite, into a fake police car, and onto a flight headed for New York City. During the hotel room scene in which Baron Cohen and Hammersten were chained together on the bed, word arrived that the police were in the lobby. As Kansas City’s finest rode up the elevator, both men made a mad dash down the emergency exit staircase. To their alarm, they discovered the staircase ended at the second story. They were trapped. It was time to choose between facing the police (read: possible arrest and deportation for the Europeans) and a fifteen foot leap to freedom. Both men took the plunge and fled into the escape vehicle. Filming affected Baron Cohen's health. He got the Flu. Antibiotics gave him thrush. The hair depilatory gave him a strong reaction. The Verdict "If you cringed, were shocked or highly offended by Sacha Baron Cohen in "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan", you may want to think long and hard before you take in his latest film, "Brüno". How the hell they got away with an MA15+ rating is beyond me. Even after (reortedly) four minutes were cut from the film, many are shaking their heads in disbelief. The audience I sat in with, shrieked, squealed, covered their eyes, gasped out load and, laughed their pants off. Funny? It is bloody funny! Rude? How about down right filthy at times. Confronting? It sure is. Entertaining? If you loved Borat, you'll adore Brüno, even if you're not gay. True, there will be some who are offended, but the warning is there: don't go if you are not sure. If you do, then you have no right to moralize about the films content. With the exception of two over the top moments, there's nothing here we haven't seen before. Crikey! Some of the friday night content on SBS makes Brüno's action a little tame. Tasteless! Lewd! Confronting! Unmissable! 4 1/2 STARS." Synopsis

In 2006, two-time BAFTA-winning performer Sacha Baron Cohen brought Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev to the big screen in "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan". Exposing shocking hypocrisies of Western culture, Baron Cohen, director Larry Charles and the film crew used guerrilla-style filmmaking to create a worldwide comedy event that took audiences and critics by storm. Now, the creator, star, writer and producer of Borat and Da Ali G Show has created the gutsiest, craziest, most dangerous comedy to be released in mainstream theatres. Baron Cohen introduces moviegoers to the next character from his award-winning series: a gay fashionista who is the host of the top-rated late night fashion show in any German-speaking country. Well, apart from Germany. His strategy? To crisscross the globe in the hopes of finding fame and love.

Who Plays Who?

Sacha Baron Cohen Gustaf Hammarsten Clifford Bañagale Chibundu Orukwowu Chigozie Orukwowu Josh Meyers Toby Hoguin Robert Huerta Gilbert Rosales Thomas Rosales Jr Marco Xavier Bono Chris Martin Elton John Slash Snoop Dogg Sting

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Brüno Lutz Diesel O.J. O.J. Kookus Mexican Gardener #1 Mexican Gardener #2 Mexican Gardener #3 Mexican Gardener #4 Mexican Gardener #5 'Dove of Peace' 'Dove of Peace' 'Dove of Peace' 'Dove of Peace' 'Dove of Peace' 'Dove of Peace'

The Production Team

Director Screenplay Story Character Produced Original Music Cinematography Film Editors Production Designers Art Direction Set Decoration Costume Designer

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Larry Charles Sacha Baron Cohen/Anthony Hines Dan Mazer/Jeff Schaffer Sacha Baron Cohen/Peter Baynham Anthony Hines/Dan Mazer Sacha Baron Cohen Sacha Baron Cohen/Monica Levinson/Jay Roach Erran Baron Cohen Anthony Hardwick & Wolfgang Held Scott M. Davids & James Thomas Dan Butts/Denise Hudson/David Saenz de Maturana Kate Bunch & Lisa Marinaccio Ute Bergk & Britt Woods Jason Alper

Run Time 83 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2009 - Universal Pictures - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2009 All Rights Reserved The Movie Pages - Protected by Australian & International Copyright. Trademark Laws Apply.