*More than two decades after Sacha Baron Cohen introduced Ali G to audiences, the character’s return is reopening a long-running debate over race, representation and comedy.
The upcoming film, “Ali G: Who Iz I?”, has become the target of a theater boycott campaign following the release of its trailer. NewsCord launched an email campaign calling on cinemas to keep the film off their screens, Deadline reports. The organization is specifically challenging the way Ali G has historically portrayed Jamaican culture.
NewsCord said the character presents a harmful image of Jamaican men and questioned whether the comedy remains acceptable more than 20 years after Ali G first appeared.
“Ali G is a cover to laugh at Jamaican culture. The character enforces harmful stereotypes of how a Jamaican man behaves in society,” NewsCord said.
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The criticism extends beyond the current campaign. NewsCord cited comments from Black British comedians in 2000 who described Ali G as “an alibi for racism,” while writer Jeanette Winterson previously questioned the character’s similarities to the Black and White Minstrels.
Social media criticism has echoed those concerns, with one commenter arguing that the racial elements of Ali G amount to “black face” and should no longer be considered acceptable.
Cohen created Ali G for Channel 4’s “The 11 O’Clock Show” in 1998. The character later headlined “Da Ali G Show” and the 2002 film “Ali G Indahouse” before Cohen retired the role in 2007. Now, Ali G returns with a new story centered on an unexpected pregnancy. After discovering his longtime girlfriend Julie is eight months pregnant, he travels to America in an attempt to revive his career while facing threats to his future and his child’s life, per the synopis.
NewsCord says UK theater chain Picturehouse Cinemas has indicated that it is not planning to show the film. The organization reportedly contacted more than 15 theater chains worldwide, with the campaign generating 40,000 emails.
“Ali G: Who Iz I?” marks Cohen’s directorial debut and arrives in theaters Oct. 23. Watch the trailer below.
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