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UN Rejected Dictator Filming Over "Anti-Dictatorship" Stance
23 Oct
Summary
- UN denied filming for The Dictator due to its anti-dictatorship theme.
- The movie's production budget increased by $15 million because of the denial.
- Sacha Baron Cohen discussed the incident at a 92NY event in NYC.

Sacha Baron Cohen has claimed that the United Nations rejected permission to film scenes for his 2012 movie, 'The Dictator,' at its headquarters. This denial reportedly caused the film's budget to increase by $15 million.
Cohen explained that the UN's protocol committee reviewed the script and ultimately refused permission, stating the movie was "anti-dictatorship" and that the UN does not take sides between dictatorships and democracies.
As a result, the production team had to rebuild a replica of the UN General Assembly. Cohen discussed this experience at a recent event in New York City, hosted by Happy Sad Confused.
In related news, Cohen also discussed bringing back his character Ali G for a new film, 'Ali G: Who Iz I?', stating that the character remains relevant because current societal prejudices have worsened.