Bruno 2009

In the vibrant city of Vienna, Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen) - a self-proclaimed fashion guru with an inflated sense of self-importance - reigns supreme. He’s convinced that Austrian supermodels revolve around his whims, and his antics on his show “Funkyzeit Mit Bruno” (Funkytime with Bruno) are the epitome of outrageousness, featuring a guest star willing to bare all for the sake of entertainment. However, Bruno’s ego is finally punctured when he gets axed from his own show after causing chaos at Milan Fashion Week in September 2008. Not only does he don an absurd Velcro suit that wreaks havoc backstage, but he also struts down the catwalk, much to the dismay of the fashion elite.

As if that wasn’t enough, Bruno’s personal life is turned upside down when his pygmy flight attendant lover, Diesel (Clifford Banagale), abandons him for another man. With his reputation in tatters and his influence at an all-time low, Bruno finds himself blacklisted from European fashion events.

Seeking redemption, Bruno sets his sights on the United States, accompanied by his trusty sidekick, Lutz (Gustaf Hammarsten). Their goal is to transform Bruno into “the biggest Austrian superstar since Hitler.” After a series of unsuccessful auditions and misadventures in Hollywood, Bruno’s agent, Lloyd Robinson, refuses to greenlight a movie role for the fashion disaster.

Undeterred, Bruno attempts an acting career by landing a spot as an extra on NBC’s crime drama Medium. However, his constant interruptions during filming - he was supposed to be a juror - earn him more attention than intended. Lutz proposes they create a show featuring celebrities, which Lloyd eventually secures funding for with the network.

Bruno’s next move is to produce a celebrity interview pilot, showcasing his… unique approach to journalism. He convinces Paula Abdul to participate in his ill-fated experiment, complete with a bizarre chair made from a fully clothed Mexican man and a sushi delivery served on the body of a naked Mexican man. The stunt sends shockwaves through the celebrity circuit, blacklisting Bruno from conducting further interviews.

In a last-ditch effort, Bruno presents his pilot to Denny Bond (CBS network producer) and a focus group, featuring a series of cringe-worthy moments, including an erotic dance routine, scathing remarks about Jamie-Lynn Spears’ fetus with Brittny Gastineau, a failed attempt to interview Harrison Ford, and a finale that culminates in a close-up shot of his… ahem… private parts. The focus group is left stunned, likening the pilot to “worse than cancer.” Needless to say, the network rejects Bruno’s creation.

As Bruno seeks guidance on how to increase his fame, he turns to unconventional sources, including a spiritualist (Gary Williams) who claims to be able to channel the energy of the late Rob Pilatus from Milli Vanilli. In a series of bizarre and crass attempts to connect with the deceased pop star, Bruno resorts to miming explicit acts, believing that Pilatus’s spirit is guiding him towards greater celebrity. Meanwhile, Bruno becomes convinced that charity work is the key to achieving fame, and he sets his sights on solving one of the world’s most pressing crises: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bruno consults with PR experts Nicole and Suzanne DeFosset, who help him choose a cause that will maximize his exposure. In this case, they suggest tackling the complex issue of Israeli-Palestinian relations, which has never been successfully resolved by any celebrity. Bruno travels to Jerusalem, where he conducts interviews with former Mossad agent Yossi Alpher and Palestinian politician Ghassan Khatib. However, in a moment of cultural confusion, Bruno mistakes hummus for Hamas, revealing his profound lack of understanding about the conflict.

Undeterred, Bruno decides that the key to peace lies in bringing people together through awkward displays of affection. He forces Israeli and Palestinian mediators to hold hands while he sings his own rendition of “Dove of Peace,” a bizarre attempt at diplomacy. Despite his best efforts, Bruno believes that his initiative ultimately fails because he didn’t have enough ecstasy to go around.

Bruno’s antics don’t stop there. He meets with Ayman Abu Aita, self-proclaimed leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, in what appears to be a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon (but is actually a restaurant near Bethlehem). Bruno hopes that by getting kidnapped, he’ll become an international sensation and spread his message of peace. However, his attempts at diplomacy fall flat when he insults Abu Aita’s hair, comparing him unfavorably to Osama bin Laden.

Before departing for Nairobi, where he plans to “pick up a few things” including a child, whom he refers to as “black gold,” Bruno stops off to pick up some last-minute souvenirs. His misadventures are just beginning, and it’s clear that his quest for fame will lead him down a path of cultural insensitivity and comedic chaos.

Bruno embarks on a series of disconcerting interviews, posing thought-provoking queries to the parents of child models. He inquires about their willingness to subject their offspring to drastic measures, such as extreme weight loss, surgical alterations, and exposure to antiquated machinery or amateur scientific experiments. On Richard Bey’s talk show, he showcases an unsuspecting infant named O.J., whom he acquired through a peculiar trade involving a U2 Product Red iPod in Africa. The audience is stunned by the graphic images Bruno displays, depicting the young boy surrounded by buzzing bees, suspended from a crucifix, and bathing with adults in a compromising position.

The distressing revelation sends shockwaves through the crowd, prompting social services to intervene and remove the child from Bruno’s care. His subsequent depression finds him solace in a diner, where he indulges in high-carbohydrate junk food. Lutz attempts to lift his spirits by taking him back to their hotel room, where they spend a night of intimacy. However, their morning after is disrupted when they find themselves trapped in a bondage mechanism, unable to locate the key. A frantic call to the hotel engineer yields no solution, and they are ultimately asked to vacate the premises.

As Bruno navigates this turbulent period, he encounters a group of anti-gay protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church while still clad in bondage gear. Boarding a bus, Bruno and Lutz remove their equipment at the Madison County Office of Alternative Sentencing and Release in Huntsville, Alabama, only to be arrested for their troubles.

In the aftermath, Lutz confesses his love for Bruno, but is met with indifference, as Bruno’s perspective has been clouded by “carb goggles.” The emotional distance between them grows, ultimately leading to Lutz’s departure. As Bruno grapples with his sense of identity, he becomes disillusioned with the notion that the biggest names in Hollywood are straight (he cites Tom Cruise, Kevin Spacey, and John Travolta as examples).

Seeking guidance from two Christian gay converters, Bruno attempts to reorient himself towards heterosexuality. He participates in activities such as joining the National Guard, going on a hunting trip in Alabama, learning karate, and attending a swinger’s party, where he is subjected to a dominant performance by a mysterious figure (Michelle McLaren). Each of these endeavors ends in failure, as Bruno’s inherent nature refuses to be suppressed. Undeterred, he vows to continue his quest for heterosexuality.

As the dust settles on his tumultuous past, Bruno (Bruno) emerges from the shadows, rebranded as the enigmatic “Straight Dave”. Eight months have passed since his transformation, and he’s now poised to host the most explosive cage-fight spectacle in Arkansas - “Straight Dave’s Man Slammin’ Maxout”. The event promises to deliver a frenzy of fists and fury, with Bruno’s own personal demons waiting in the wings.

Just as the main event is about to kick off, a familiar face appears at the scene: Lutz. And with him, a caustic remark that cuts straight to Bruno’s core - “You’re still a faggot!” The two men engage in a fierce and frenzied fight, their animosity fueling a passion that ultimately boils over into a raw display of affection. As they make out and strip down in front of the raucous crowd, the air is thick with tension and desire.

This impromptu romantic interlude sends shockwaves around the globe, earning Bruno international acclaim as he becomes an overnight sensation. Seeking to capitalize on his newfound fame, Bruno sets his sights on a new goal - marrying Lutz and securing the return of O.J. in exchange for a coveted MacBook Pro. But first, he must channel his newfound love into a charitable endeavor.

Thus, Bruno takes to the recording studio, where he crafts a powerful anthem for peace, “Dove of Peace”. The star-studded collaboration features some of music’s biggest names, including Bono (U2), Elton John, Chris Martin (Coldplay), Snoop Dogg, Sting, and Slash. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, this emotive track is a testament to Bruno’s unwavering commitment to love, acceptance, and redemption.