Sacha Baron Cohen revives Erran Morad in Ali G directorial debut
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
Newly released preview footage from *Ali G: Who Iz I?* shows Sacha Baron Cohen bringing back Erran Morad, his fictional Israeli anti-terrorism expert from *Who Is America?*. In the scene, Morad questions men expressing fears about immigration, then uses exaggerated claims to turn their rhetoric back on them, continuing Cohen’s satirical focus on bigotry and fear of outsiders.
The footage is part of Cohen’s directorial debut, which marks Ali G’s return after 20 years away from the screen. The film follows Ali G as he learns his girlfriend is eight months pregnant and travels to America to revive his fame through documentary-making, where he encounters threats to his family. Cohen says Morad’s character holds up a mirror to people who take fear of “the other” too far.
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In short
- New footage brings Erran Morad back in an Ali G film.
- Morad challenges men voicing fears about immigration.
- The film marks Ali G’s return after 20 years.
How this story developed
- 53 seconds ago A further sneak peek revisited Morad’s immigration encounter, while the film’s premise and Cohen’s description of its satire remained unchanged.
- 2 minutes ago Preview footage newly showed Cohen’s fictional anti-terrorism expert Erran Morad confronting men’s fears about immigration, with Cohen saying the character reflects how fear of outsiders can go too far.
- 6 minutes ago Sacha Baron Cohen announced his return as Ali G in Who Iz I?, his directorial debut about the character travelling to America to revive his fame after learning his girlfriend is eight months pregnant.
- Variety ‘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?
- The Hollywood Reporter ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Review: Sacha Baron Cohen Reprises Iconic Role, Yielding Equal Parts Belly Laughs and Boredom
- Deadline ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Review: Sacha Baron Cohen’s Signature Prankster Returns In Outrageous Form With Something To Offend Everyone
- Collider Sacha Baron Cohen revives Erran Morad in Ali G directorial debut
- The Guardian Ali G: Who Iz I? review – Sacha Baron Cohen’s high-stakes satire punches up and down with spectacular bad taste
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters can argue that Ali G’s deliberately juvenile humour makes political extremism, bigotry and hypocrisy accessible to audiences who might not engage with conventional debate. Reviving the character also gives Cohen a familiar satirical device for exposing contradictions in public claims, including fears about immigration and violence against white conservatives.
The case against
Critics can argue that guerrilla comedy built around provocation and humiliation risks making its targets defensive, obscuring the ideas being challenged. They may also question whether returning to a character last seen on screen 20 years ago can address present-day extremism and prejudice without reducing serious concerns to a punchline.
Coverage · 5 sources
- ColliderSacha Baron Cohen revives Erran Morad in Ali G directorial debut
- Variety‘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?
- The Hollywood Reporter‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Review: Sacha Baron Cohen Reprises Iconic Role, Yielding Equal Parts Belly Laughs and Boredom
- Deadline‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’ Review: Sacha Baron Cohen’s Signature Prankster Returns In Outrageous Form With Something To Offend Everyone
- The GuardianLeftAli G: Who Iz I? review – Sacha Baron Cohen’s high-stakes satire punches up and down with spectacular bad taste
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Collider as “Sacha Baron Cohen Officially Resurrects Another of His Most Infamous Characters in Directorial Debut [Exclusive]”.