6962: Overreaction Of The Week.

The New York Post story below inspired the brief MultiCultClassics perspective immediately following…

A Jihad on Bruno

By David Brown

Sacha Baron Cohen has stepped up his security after being threatened by a terrorist organization that is angered at its portrayal in the film “Bruno.”

The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a coalition of Palestinian militias in the West Bank, said it was “very upset” that it was featured in the movie, starring Baron Cohen’s homosexual fashionista alter ego.

Baron Cohen’s Austrian character ridicules the terrorist group when he attempts to get himself kidnapped during a meeting with Ayman Abu Aita, who is identified in the film as the leader of the Martyrs’ Brigades.

The British comic is taking the threat seriously and has improved security arrangements for himself and his family in preparation for violent reprisals.

The Martyrs’ Brigades has issued a statement to a Jerusalem-based journalist including a veiled threat against Baron Cohen, 37.

“We reserve the right to respond in the way we find suitable against this man,” it said. “The movie was part of a conspiracy against the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.”

The group condemned the use of the interview.

“According to what we checked, there was no meeting about the real context of the film,” the statement said. “This was a dirty use of our brother, Ayman, and we don’t accept that the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades is part of the film.”

The group is responsible for dozens of suicide bombings and shootings, and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.

Baron Cohen’s Austrian character is shown telling Abu Aita: “I want to be famous. I want the best guys in the business to kidnap me. Al Qaeda is so 2001.” Before Abu Aita can respond, Bruno suggests that he remove his moustache, explaining: “Because your King Osama looks like a kind of dirty wizard or homeless Santa.”

Abu Aita claims that he was tricked into appearing in the film and has insisted that he is no longer involved in the Martyrs’ Brigades. He has threatened to sue Baron Cohen.

“This man, I think he is not a man,” Abu Aita said. “He is not saying the truth about me. He lied.”

Abu Aita’s lawyer, Hatem Abu Ahmad, has said that he is preparing a legal action against Baron Cohen and Universal Studios alleging that the terrorist reference could get his client in trouble with the Israelis and that the gay association could get him killed by Palestinians.

Abu Ahmad said: “This joke is very dangerous. We are not in the United States, we are not in Europe, we are in the Middle East, and the world operates differently here.” The Times of London

Cambridge University graduate Sacha Baron Cohen apparently didn’t spend any time learning about folks like Salman Rushdie. Otherwise, Baron Cohen might have realized it’s not too smart to joke around with people driven by strong spiritual and religious beliefs—especially when they’ve been known to react violently over such slights.

At one point, Baron Cohen and Universal Pictures had invited GLAAD representatives to preview and comment on the film—and the comedian and studio ultimately ignored every suggestion offered. Maybe they should have held private screenings with the Martyrs’ Brigades too.

Universal Pictures displayed monumental arrogance when first stating, “While any work that dares to address relevant cultural sensitivities might be misinterpreted by some or offend others, we believe the overwhelming majority of the audience will understand and appreciate the film’s inarguably positive intentions, which we’ve seen demonstrated whenever we have shown it.” Hey, the underwhelming minority misinterpretations and offenses need to be addressed after all.

It’s also ironic that in Baron Cohen’s previous film, Borat, the title character showed absolute terror when confronting Jews. Might Baron Cohen find himself in a real-life scenario of paranoia and fear?

Most people probably believe the Martyrs’ Brigades are overreacting. And let’s hope the threats don’t lead to actual trouble. At the same time, it’s disturbing to see how far the offended have to go to get the attention of the offenders.