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Br�no star defends slur on Austria

Cinemas last night opened their doors for what promises to be the most controversial international film to hit Austria in an age, if the hype is to be believed.

Br�no puts British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, or rather his gay Austrian alter-ego, into painfully real situations that become uncomfortable to watch.

Austrian Times spoke to Br�no's super keen sidekick Lutz, otherwise known as Swedish actor Gustaf Hammarsten, about fight clubs, Austria's reputation, and watching a genius at work.

Cohen operates by putting his characters in the lion's den of the homophobic, racist and downright odd and letting rip with the most inappropriate gags imaginable.

Those who enjoy his no-holds-barred approach to comedy argue that Cohen is exposing the prejudices that people may or may not admit they have but others, Austria's incoming ambassador to London Emil Brix included, claim he goes too far and his slurs against Austria are a step too far.

Hammarsten is certainly in the former camp and says that those who complain Br�no is offensive are simply missing the point.

"If you don�t understand this is comedy, this is satire, then you miss the point. [Cohen] is a Jew himself and he goes through the film saying �How can you protect yourself from the Jews taking over the world?� The purpose of it is the opposite to what people are complaining about," said the 47-year-old. "I think most of the time we are on the same side.

"It was very clear to me watching [Cohen's previous creations] Borat and Ali G. that you could be very upset," said the Stockholm born actor. "I understand why people would say, �What are you doing with our country?�

"I don�t know if I�m responsible but of course when you're in this kind of movie you have to think about what its saying. You are responsible in a way," he said. "I knew this was for a good cause though so I felt secure. It�s important to show people their prejudices."

At one point in the film the Cohen and Hammarsten are faced with the threat of very real violence when Br�no and Lutz attend an illegal fight club in America. Hammarsten trusted Cohen and the production team not to get him hurt though.

"I was scared at points I must admit. It was pretty nerve-racking having all those full-on people around you knowing you couldn�t just come in, do your bit and leave," he said. "The production team knew what they were doing though so I felt secure all the time."

Cohen actually spent some time living in Vienna early on in his career which could well have been the inspiration for the film. In fact, Hammersten even admits they spent a lot of the time speaking German on set.

"There was a lot of conversation in German on set as Sacha speaks a bit of German. Obviously there's a lot of conversations we didn't have a clue what we were talking about though!" he laughs.

John Morris

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