THE DICTATOR was actually banned. In the Republic of Tajikistan, a county ruled by the same man for twenty years through bloody civil war and ethnic cleansing. True story. It was a swift and decisive move which… really does nothing but up Sacha Baron Cohen’s publicity and make more people all the more likely to buy this (pretty damn funny) movie. For the (fun) record, THE DICTATOR was also banned in Malaysia and the Republics of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan
In a statement meant to promote THE DICTATOR’s release, General Aladeen of Wadiya issued the following statement: “My film is funnier than equal rights for women, as gut-busting as a UN resolution and more hilarious than watching a student set himself on fire. Owning a copy of my glorious and award-winning** film will give you more pleasure than having Halle Berry rub almond oil into your buttocks while you stimulate her bint al-sahn with your mashloof…and it will cost you considerably less money. Although my film was subjected to the infamous authoritarian censorship of the West, thanks to Blu-ray and DVD you can finally see all the really naughty bits. I have your home address, so trust me, you WILL love it.”
** The 2012 Wadiyan Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Writer, Best Costumes, Best Simulated Sex Scene, Best Actual Sex Scene, Best Torture Scene, Best Sound Mix, and Least Jewish Actor.
The Banned and Unrated Blu-Ray/DVD will arrive on August 21st with the following specifications and special features:
– Presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description, as well as English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. The DVD in the combo pack will be presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description, as well as English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.
– BLU-RAY: Unrated version in high definition, theatrical version in high definition
– Deleted and Extended Scenes: Newsnight Interview, Nuclear Diary, Deathbed Flashback, Assemble the Generals, Meet Clayton, Aladeen Steals Food, Computer Store, Death to Aladeen Restaurant, Manhattan Zoo, Funeral Parlor, A Gift for Zoey, Titfight, The Birthing, The Rooftop, A Final Word
– Larry King Interview
– Music Video: Best Love Song “Your Money’s On The Dresser”
– DVD: Theatrical version in standard definition
The Banned & Unrated Single-Disc DVD will also arrive on August 21st with the following specifications and special features:
-Presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description, as well as English, French and Spanish subtitles.
– Unrated version in standard definition
– Theatrical version in standard definition
– Deleted and Extended Scenes: Newsnight Interview, Meet Clayton, Computer Store, Manhattan Zoo, A Gift for Zoey, The Birthing
– Larry King Interview
THE DICATOR Blu-Ray/DVD combo will retail for $39.99 U.S. and $49.99 in Canada, while the straight DVD will be $29.99 U.S. and $34.99 in Canada. The theatrical version of THE DICTATOR bears an R for “strong crude and sexual content, brief male nudity, language some violent images.”