Ukraine bans Baron Cohen's Bruno movie

KIEV, Ukraine, July 15 (UPI) -- The Ukrainian Culture and Tourism Ministry Wednesday said it banned Sacha Baron Cohen's latest hit movie "Bruno" because the film harms public morals.

A Ukrainian commission of experts that watched "Bruno" ruled the film, which tells the story of a gay Austrian fashion journalist, includes obscene language, homosexual scenes, scenes of sadism and behavior that could harm public morals, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

Deputy Culture Minister Tymofiy Kokhan, who headed the team of experts watching "Bruno," said nine out of 14 commission members opposed the film's distribution and showing in Ukraine.

Cohen's breakout film "Borat: Cultural learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan," ridiculed the United States and the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan. Russia and Kazakhstan banned Borat in 2006.