Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen character)
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- For other uses, see Bruno.
Bruno (sometimes written as Brüno) is a fictional television personality played by Sacha Baron Cohen. He first appeared during short sketches on The Paramount Comedy Channel during 1998, before reappearing on Da Ali G Show. Following the immediate success of Borat, Bruno will be the star of Baron Cohen's new reality-based movie, which was recently acquired by Universal Studios.[1]
Bruno, who has no last name, is a character who claims to be a reporter from an Austrian TV station and interviews unsuspecting guests about topics such as fashion, entertainment, celebrities and homosexuality, with an emphasis on the latter as each interview progresses. The Austrian TV station's logo features the letters OJRF (revealed once as Österreichischer Jungen Rundfunk) inside a baby blue square, with a smaller purple square in the upper left quadrant. In real life the biggest Austrian TV Station is ORF (Österreichischer Rundfunk). The logo often appears on Bruno's show in the upper right corner of the screen. Bruno's segment on Da Ali G Show is called Funkyzeit mit Brüno (Funkytime with Bruno). The theme song is "Crank It Up", by Scooter, from the album Our Happy Hardcore.
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[edit] Style
Bruno is a 6 foot, 3 inch white male with a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes. His hair is clipped short all over but for an about four inches long faux-hawk and the top of which is bleached blonde. Bruno dresses in a flamboyant and garish style. He often wears lace-up shirts with cut-off sleeves, studded accessories such as belts or bracelets, and piercings, such as one in his left eyebrow. His signature outfit combines these elements against a main theme of blue denim. Bruno speaks with a faux-German accent, often substituting "w" sounds with "v" and "s" sounds with "sch". His voice is high for a male. He boldly carries a positive attitude, often commending his interviewees with lines like "that's great" following their comments.
[edit] Humour with political undertones
As with Cohen's other Da Ali G Show characters, an underlying political commentary or agenda sets up the humour in his interviews. It is often amusing to see people's uncomfortable reactions to the stereotypes that Bruno -- and indeed, Ali G and Borat -- evoke. Cohen's outrageousness, as well as his rare ability to quickly improvise as his subjects react, add much to the entertainment value.
Bruno's two major areas of exploration are the fashion and entertainment industries and the American South, revealing his subjects' prejudices and biases. Although his examples are limited, they serve as focused and extreme representations of more general sociopolitical attitudes.
[edit] Fashion and entertainment industries
In season one of Da Ali G Show, Bruno focuses on interviewing people from the fashion and entertainment industries. He generates humour through three devices:
[edit] Interviewees making outrageous statements
Bruno often asks leading questions in an interview to set people up to make controversial responses. While it is humorous when they are so easily manipulated, it is often the case that it takes very little prompting to elicit their opinions, no matter how extreme. In season one, episode two (S1E2), when referring to the unfashionable, he asks his subject, a fashion designer, "Why don't you just put them on trains and send them to a camp and say bye-bye?" The designer laughs, but agrees, "I would love to say bye-bye to most of them." In the same episode, a casting director says Osama Bin Laden is "cool" and "fashionable". He also says that it is ridiculous that the fashion industry is not considered as important as the medical profession, after surprisingly little setup by Bruno. In a memorable sequence from S2E3 titled In oder Aus, Bruno asks an entertainment industry journalist whether certain celebrities are "in" or "out," using increasingly vindictive characterizations. Regarding Ricky Martin, he would recommend to "keep him in the ghetto", while Burt Reynolds is "condemned" to a "train to Auschwitz". Liza Minnelli was "given" a malignant instead of benign tumour, while Jack Black was "given" cancer instead of candy.
[edit] Revealing an interviewee's apparent stupidity
Bruno often has interviewees speak or act outrageously, which are probably attempts by the interviewees to avoid conflict or to conform to social pressure (a phenomenon studied by 1950s researchers like Solomon Asch), rather than outright stupidity. For example, Bruno has subjects talking about a non-existent theme in a fashion show. Some catch on and assert that there was no such theme in their show, but others discuss this theme just to please Bruno and his audience. In S1E2, when Bruno asks why cardboard was featured in a fashion show, a fashion designer discusses it in depth when in fact, there was no such theme. Similarly, in S1E3, a stylist talks about a nonexistent nautical theme. In the same episode, Bruno has a man do September 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 faces into the camera to capture the relative joy, shock, anger, and sadness relating to the 9/11 attacks on the United States. In S1E5, noted celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Antin compliments Bruno on his weighty observation of villains such as Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and Saddam Hussein always having a moustache, and good people such as Jesus, Rod Stewart and hippies always having long hair. When asked to do something for deaf children in S1E5, a clothing store manager sits silent and motionless with his arms spread wide. Bruno allows it go on for 55 seconds, not saying a word, until the man tires.
[edit] Having an interviewee take an opposite position on a subject
Often an interviewee will state an opinion on a subject, but Bruno will take him or her aside and say that there is a problem with that stance. Often the subject will agree and reverse his or her position immediately. In S1E5, a clothing store owner admits that Madonna has never been at his establishment. Bruno tells him that his country loves Madonna and that no one would know if he embellishes facts. The manager goes on to say that his store is one of Madonna's favorites and that she bought 12 to 14 pieces on her last visit. In S1E3, a lower-level employee is convinced to pretend she is a show's fashion designer when the real one cannot be located. In S2E3, Bruno interviews two fashionistas about a number of celebrities and how they dress. As he encourages them to become increasingly outrageous, they liken Peter Jackson's slovenly appearance at the Oscars to a mini 9/11. Ultimately, Paris Hilton's appearance is trashed by the two gentlemen. Bruno pauses the interview and tells them the Hilton Group is a big sponsor. The two immediately reverse positions and proceed to rave about Ms. Hilton's fashion sense as the interview resumes.
[edit] Americans' reactions to homosexuality
In all four episodes set in the American south, Bruno appears as a highly flamboyant homosexual reporter. His interviews often end in conflict with the interviewee, and even appear to border on a physical confrontation. Bruno's southern travels include the following:
[edit] S1E6
Bruno is in Alabama, which he inexplicably describes as being "the gayest place in America." At a football field, Bruno joins the cheerleading line and is heavily booed by the crowd. A fan claims he is embarrassing the 85,000 in attendance and he is implored to leave the field. He later interviews Shaud Williams, a running back. When asked whether he is allowed to date other members of the team or must wait until the off season, Williams responds with an emphatic and incredulous, "What?" Bruno continues with his innuendo about Williams's "probable" homosexuality by asking if the size of his crotch is commensurate with the size of his obviously strong pectorals and thigh muscles. His queries to Mr. Williams about what message he might have for the Austrian gay community are met only with calm responses such as, "No one's ever put me in that situation," and a matter-of-fact "I'm not gay." Bruno's final interview does not end so amicably, however. At a pro-America expo, the organizer states that he is against government intervention, which he equates with "the Jewish hand in your pocket". Bruno says that from his perspective, freedom means his right to hold his boyfriend's hand in public in Austria, to which the organizer replies, "I'm not too hot on your right to hold hands with your boyfriend", and tells Bruno not to "recruit" his children. Bruno calls the man cute and manly. When the man states that he "likes women," Bruno excuses himself for appearing jet lagged and possibly fat. The man becomes visibly angry and says to Bruno "you want to be professional, be a professional, don't be some fucking fag". They appear close to a physical confrontation.
[edit] S2E1
Bruno interviews a pastor who claims to be a "gay converter." Bruno asks him "so why is being gay so out this season?" and then bombards him with descriptions of homoerotic scenarios, asking if they are truly indicative of homosexuality or if they could be considered isolated incidents. Bruno slyly implies that he is not gay, but continually makes reference to his own homosexual experiences. In keeping with his routine, he also implies the pastor himself is or was at one time gay. Toward the end of the interview, Bruno asks the man to affirm or reject certain behaviours by saying "Ach ja" (Oh, yes) or "Nicht, nicht". Activities that are clearly unacceptable include showering with a friend, watching Will & Grace, and being "fabulous," which the pastor claims is as "an effeminate lifestyle" according to the Bible. Activities that the pastor considers questionable, depending on circumstances such as with whom or why one is involved, include eating brunch ("If you're eating brunch with Christian friends, and there's no one else around that's gonna seduce you into sin, that's okay. ... Ach ja.") and eating copious amounts of chocolate.
[edit] S2E5
Bruno takes square dancing lessons at a barn dance in Georgia. He takes a liking to Jim, his instructor. While dancing with different partners, he perpetually asks about Jim, saying, "I'm not going to look, but is he looking at me right now?" He attempts to make Jim jealous, and when dancing in a group, continually attempts to dance with Jim, who is obviously trying to avoid him. He finally confronts Jim and asks him to make his last night in town special. Jim walks away without responding. During the credits roll of Da Ali G Show, an additional Bruno segment is shown where he is at a gun show in Arkansas and interviewing a man named Daniel. Bruno asks increasingly loaded questions about Daniel's weapons beginning with, "What's your biggest gun?" and ending with, "How far up the poopenschaft can it go before it's dangerous?" Daniel is polite and plays along, but eventually clarifies, ". . . I'm not gay." Bruno asks why he's denying it. Daniel says, "If you call me gay one more time, I'm fixing to knock every tooth outta your head, you understand what I'm sayin'? Cause I've done told you that I'm not gay." Daniel can see Bruno pondering where to take it from this point forward. "One more time, I said, so be careful what you say. Be real careful what you say." The credits end.
[edit] S2E6
Bruno is enjoying Daytona Beach during spring break. He interviews five college wrestlers who are living out of a motor home. The men are playful and brimming with energy. They teach Bruno how to wrestle, flex for the camera, and even show their naked buttocks when asked to by Bruno. Bruno then instructs each wrestler to say one letter from the word 'party' successively and then all shout the word. The wrestlers do so loudly and with much gesturing. Bruno asks them to do it again, but with more energy. On the last rendition of four, each with more energy despite even the earlier ones being electric, four of the men shout "P-A-R-T" and the fifth, offscreen, jumps down from the top of the motor home screaming "Y". All five then shout "PARTY!!!" Bruno instructs one of the wrestlers to repeat after him in bits: "Hello…", "I am saying Hi…", "from Daytona Beach spring break…", "to Austrian…", "GAY TV!" After repeating faithfully until the last sentence fragment, the man becomes very agitated, clearly upset at being tricked into showing off his masculinity for a gay television show. He rips the ball off Bruno's microphone and launches several expletives at him. Sacha Baron Cohen, when interviewed about this sketch on Conan O'Brien, revealed that his cameraman had actually been punched by one of the wrestlers after the group found out that they would appear on Austrian (or as one of the boys says, "Australian") Gay TV.
[edit] Bruno's vocabulary
Bruno's speech is peppered with occasional German and faux-German words and phrases.
- Vassup: "What's up"; a celebrity is in
- Ich don't think so: A celebrity is out
- Jetzt bin ich hier mit ... : Now I'm here with ...
- Schitzenpoof: bordell (a brothel; Bruno uses this in the context of an anus/ass however); 'Puff' (pronounced similar to the English 'poof' with a short sound 'u:') means also 'bordell'.
- Stinker: anus
- Schwanzenstücker: Penis
- Spritzen or Spunken: Ejaculation/Ejaculate
- Aufstehen: "to stand up," Erection
- Walk on the Brown Side: A homosexual or homoerotic experience
- Ach ja: Literally "Oh yes", but in German equivalent to a sigh. Indicating something is acceptable.
- Nicht Nicht: A 'no, no'; not acceptable
- Aus: A celebrity is out
- Poopenschaft: A play on English slang, 'poop-chute'; rectum or anus; also a play on German: 'Poppen' which means colloquially 'to have sex' and 'Schaft' which refers to a tubular part, in this case to anus.
- Arsch: Arse (Ass)
[edit] Episode listing
S1E1 (Law and Order): Bruno interviews several fashionistas during New York Fashion Week. He appears as a model in the Lloyd Klein fashion show that features undergarments. Bruno wears a pink undershirt and briefs and does the worm down the entire length of the runway.
S1E2 (War): Bruno continues his New York Fashion Week interviews at the Heatherette and Michael & Hushi fashion shows.
S1E3 (Politics): Bruno attempts to get into the Marc Jacobs spring/summer collection fashion show, offering oral and anal sex, but claiming that he isn't gay. He also interviews Gisele Bündchen. Ms. Bündchen's name is misspelled on the onscreen title.
S1E4 (Science): There is no Bruno segment in this episode of Da Ali G Show.
S1E5 (Media): Bruno interviews several stylists, including noted celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Antin.
S1E6 (Belief): Bruno interviews in Alabama, which he believes to be the gayest place in America. Bruno also participates as a cheerleader at a football game.
S2E1 (Respek): Bruno interviews a pastor who claims to be a "gay converter", finding out just what activities are considered homosexual.
S2E2 (Rekognize): There is no Bruno segment in this episode of Da Ali G Show.
S2E3 (Peace): Bruno hosts a show entitled In oder Aus, an interview show about celebrities and their popularity and fashion sense. The Funkyzeit mit Brüno opening is not used in this episode.
S2E4 (Realize): Bruno is in South Beach, Florida, where he interviews a club owner who believes house music would have prevented World War II had it existed at the time. He also spends an evening as a bouncer at a club where he turns people away for not wearing the proper club attire (one man was wearing what he claimed was a $250 designer shirt).
S2E5 (Jah): Bruno takes square dancing lessons at a barn dance in Georgia. The credits roll of Da Ali G Show features Bruno interviewing at an Arkansas gun show where he is threatened and nearly physically assaulted.
S2E6 (Realness): Bruno soaks up the sun and sand in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he interviews five wrestlers and practices moves with them.
[edit] Movie
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Sacha Baron Cohen's next film, which was earlier reported to be based on a new character, will be Bruno, following the misadventures of the gay Austrian fashionista from "Da Ali G Show." The negotiations were intense for the rights to Bruno, with Universal Pictures acquiring the worldwide rights to the film for $42.5 million dollars. [2] Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) will produce as he did on Sacha's other film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and no director has yet been signed. Cohen hopes to film the movie in the summer of 2007, but it's unclear exactly where he plans to film it.
[edit] Sources
- ^ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3iSvX2Mh9HIlJpLf4wFLDFig%3D%3D
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/home/digitalentertainment/2006/11/13/borat-cohen-money-tech-media-cz_lg_1114borat.html
[edit] External links
- The Original Sacha Baron Cohen website - includes a Bruno Dictionary and News
- Channel 4 Bruno website
- Bruno The Movie, announced to be out in 2008.,
- HBO's Da Ali G Show website
- A YouTube video of Bruno interviewing in Alabama
- Unofficial Austrian Bruno fanpage in English
| Sacha Baron Cohen |
|---|
| Characters |
| Ali G | Borat Sagdiyev | Bruno |
| Films and TV series |
| The Eleven O'Clock Show (1998-1999) | Da Ali G Show (UK: 2000, US: 2003-2004) | Ali G Indahouse (2002) | Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) |
