Sacha Baron Cohen

Media Forms: How does the extract use media language to establish the programme’s genre?

Media Representations: How is ethnicity represented in the extract?

Media Institutions: In what ways is the extract typical of the Hollywood film industry?

Media Audiences: In what ways does the extract promote film to audiences?

1)      This extract establishes the programmes genre by using an accent which makes the audience laugh. It also establishes the genre by Sacha Baron Cohen coming dressed as the role he plays in his new film ‘the dictator’. It also establishes the programmes genre as what Sacha is wearing connotes he is very strict and is also a very important person but as soon as he talks the audience realise that he is funny and is playing a comedy role. It also establishes the genre as it Sacha comes to the Oscars with a urn of Kim Joggel ashes as apparently he had always wanted to come to the Oscars. This shows that it is a comedy film as he had brought an urn to the Oscars. 

2)      Ethnicity is represented in the extract as Sacha Baron Cohen’s outfit connotes a typical Arab dictator as he is wearing white which does symbolise innocence and being noble which is what is usually wanted. He also connotes an Arab dictator with the long beard and the accent as it is how people in Arab countries talk.  Personally I believe that Sacha Baron Cohen had played this role in the film because of the recent Arab Spring. The Arab Spring refers to the pro-democracy uprisings currently sweeping the Middle East and North Africa.The way Sacha is also dressed represents a dictator as he is dressed very smart and has got badges on his chest. Ethnicity is represented by the way Sacha is dressed and the way Sacha talks. Some people might find this racist but must also realise that the media always stereotypes.

3)      This extract is typical of the Hollywood film industry as they had the red carpet which shows Hollywood and that it was an important event where there were many celebrities. It was also very glamorous as all the celebrities were dressed up smart and were wearing fancy dresses. This connotes they are rich and live exclusive lives as they can afford expensive clothes and come in very expensive cars. Another way the extract is a typical Hollywood event is as the interview is done by E! Entertainment. E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBC Universal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry. They all relate to celebrity occasions such as the Oscars and celebrity birthdays.

4)       The extract promotes the film by Sacha Baron Cohen pulling of a stunt, he spilt the ashes on the interviewer and that was live on national television. This helped promote the film as a couple of years ago when before Sacha Baron Cohen released his film ‘Bruno’ he had pulled a stunt at a big event on which he came flying in from the roof and his buttocks landed on Eminem’s face. Another way he had promoted his film was by coming dressed as the main role of the film ‘the Dictator’ which had shown the audience it would be funny and was a comedy.