A planned weekend screening of Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2006 film “Borat” was canceled without a public announcement after complaints about the film, according to a report from World of Reel.
The screening was scheduled to take place at Vidiots, with producer Monica Levinson expected to attend a packed house. Instead, the event listing was removed from the venue’s website. World of Reel reported there was no formal postponement notice.
According to the outlet, objections raised before the screening included criticism of Cohen described as a “Zionist” and characterization of the film’s title character as a “racist” caricature. A source described to World of Reel as close to the matter said “the activists won.”
The cancellation comes as Cohen faces separate criticism tied to his upcoming Ali G film, set for release in October, with critics arguing the Ali G character legitimizes anti-Black stereotypes and should not be screened in theaters.
Cohen has previously spoken publicly in favor of limiting the reach of speech he considers harmful. In past remarks, he said:
This is not about limiting anyone’s free speech. This is about giving people, including some of the most reprehensible people on earth, the biggest platform in history to reach a third of the planet. Freedom of speech is not freedom of reach. Sadly, there will always be racists, misogynists, anti-Semites, and child abusers. But I think we could all agree that we should not be giving bigots and pedophiles a free platform to amplify their views and target their victims.
Neither Vidiots nor representatives for Cohen have issued a public statement explaining the cancellation.
