- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: PREMIERE OF COMEDY MOVIE "ALI G IN DA HOUSE"
- Date: 21st March 2002
- Summary: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, MARCH 20, 2002 (REUTERS) VARIOUS, NAOMI CAMPBELL ARRIVING
- Embargoed: 5th April 2002 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA2Q5IG4QC3WH2HEIGE6Y28VC9E
- Story Text: Ali G, the UK's hottest comic sensation, made his big screen debut on Wednesday (March 18) at London's Leicester Square. He's come a long way from 'da heart off da Staines ghetto', having starred in Madonna's video and currently climbing the charts with Me Julie which he performs with Shaggy. Sacha Baron Cohen has a lot to answer for.
British comedian Ali G, the foul mouthed creation of Sacha Baron Cohen stepped out in regal fashion for the London premier of his big screen film debut "Ali G in da House".
The spoof gangster rapper arrived at the Empire cinema in Leicester Square dressed in a crown and long robes, accompanied by an entourage of bikini-clad women, whose skimpy outfits were shaped like cannabis leaves.
The actor was cheered on by crowds, but some onlookers were unappreciative, complaining that the film was racist. Ali G's response was, " let me just say to all those brothers outside doing the demonstration. Whatever it is you was protesting against I is with you brethren. I is with you."
Among guests at the premiere were Kelly Bright, who plays his love interest Julie in the film. The actress, said she had already scene the film on the big screen, adding that it was a strange experience " but once you get over the whole, Oh my God, I don't really look like that do I, then you actually sit back and kind of enjoy it".
Also attending the premier were Richard Madeley and Judy Fining, Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow, actors Charles Dance and Michael Gambon, who plays the prime minister, "Baby Spice"
Emma Bunton and supermodel Naomi Campbell.
The movie sees the spoof "gangsta" rapper from Staines elected to the House of Commons and becoming a member of Parliament. Kellie Bright - who also stars in Radio 4's The Archers - takes the part of Ali G's girlfriend, who he refers to as "me Julie".
The movie was filmed in Los Angeles and the London suburb of Staines, the fictional home of Ali G and his best friend Ricky C, called the Staines Massive.
Ali G started life as a sketch on Channel 4 series The 11 O'clock Show in the late 1990s. The character was famous for conducting spoof interviews with unsuspecting guests such as politicians and public figures, tricking them into believing he was a real TV interviewer. Such was the success of the segment, Channel 4 awarded him own self-titled show.
Ali G went on to appear in the video for Madonna's "Music" and hosted the MTV European Music Awards in Frankfurt last November. On the back of the movie, Baron Cohen has scored a UK number two single with Julie, a duet with reggae star Shaggy.
The movie opens across the UK on 22 March.
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