Distributor's anger over ad ban

The company behind Ali G's latest film has hit out at advertising watchdogs who want to veto its trailers.

Universal Pictures has been told it must get permission from the people lampooned in Ali G In Da House - including The Queen, George W Bush and Tony Blair - before it will allow the adverts to be screened.

One trailer features Ali G being asked if he likes President Bush - "Me like Bush," he replies. Another shows him pulling down the Queen's skirt and declaring "respect".

David Livingstone, head of marketing at Universal Pictures International, told Screendaily: "Is this because of Ali G or a general policy? I don't know when BACC was put in charge of satire."

" There appears to be no room for any level of innuendo. This film is wall-to-wall innuendo."

Livingstone said adverts were already toned down for TV - in cinema trailers, when Ali G pulls down the Queen's skirt, he says: "Shaven haven - respect"

He said that Universal is still negotiating with BACC over the adverts.

Published: 7 Mar 2002