The estate for Holocaust survivor Judith Dim Evans has filed a lawsuit against Amazon studios and producers of Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” sequel for having her appear in the film under what the estate alleges to be false pretenses.
“The estate of Evans, who passed away in between filming the segment and the lawsuit, filed a complaint against Amazon and Oak Springs Productions for using Evans’ likeness in the mockumentary,” reports TheWrap. “And on Tuesday, the estate’s lawyers also filed a temporary restraining order to prevent the movie from being released on Oct. 23.”
“The lawsuit describes Evans as a well-known speaker, university professor and authority on the Holocaust and Jewish culture, as well as a Holocaust survivor,” the report continued.
The lawsuit claims that Evans gave the interview without knowing the movie was a comedy that “intended to mock the Holocaust and Jewish culture.” It also alleges that film’s producers attempted to pay Evans her participation before she declined.
“Upon learning after giving the interview that the movie was actually a comedy intended to mock the Holocaust and Jewish culture, Ms. Evans was horrified and upset,” the lawsuit says. “Had Ms. Evans been informed about the true nature of the film and purpose for the interview, she would not have agreed to participate in the interview.”
According to TheWrap, Sacha Baron Cohen did something rare by revealing his true identity during filming and telling Evans that he was pulling off a joke that was in no way intended to mock the Holocaust or Jewish culture. Footage allegedly exists showing this moment; the film is also dedicated to the now-deceased Evans. However, Evans’ estate lawyers have asserted that the filmmakers have been uncooperative in providing such footage.
“We have made multiple requests for any footage of Ms. Evans and the producers have refused to provide it. We do not have any further comment regarding Mr. Cohen’s characterization of his conversation with Ms. Evans until we are able to review the film,” estate attorney Adam L. Hoipkemier told TheWrap.
Sacha Baron Cohen recently had the cops called on him when trying to pull a prank on former New York City mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani. The moment happened when Giuliani was invited to the Mark Hotel to conduct what he believed was a serious interview about President Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was allegedly offered payment for the interview, which he asked to be donated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. When Giuliani arrived, he was greeted by a female interviewer and a professional set. Shortly thereafter, Cohen pulled his stunt.
“This guy comes running in, wearing a crazy, what I would say was a pink transgender outfit,” the former mayor told Fox News. “It was a pink bikini, with lace, underneath a translucent mesh top, it looked absurd. He had the beard, bare legs, and wasn’t what I would call distractingly attractive.”
“This person comes in yelling and screaming, and I thought this must be a scam or a shake-down, so I reported it to the police. He then ran away,” he added.
RELATED: REPORT: Sacha Baron Cohen To Release Anti-Trump ‘Borat’ Sequel Before Election