Places features

The Plaza cinema in Dorchester is to show the new comedy film Bruno, featuring the fictional gay Austrian TV fashionista, as portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen - but its poster has been covered up.

The sign covers Bruno's buttocks

The widely publicised film advertisement features the character of Bruno dressed in a yellow lederhosen-style outfit, cut high to reveal the lower part of his buttocks.

But the ad on display at the cinema has placed a 'now showing - 18 certificate' label over this part of the poster.

Cinema manager Chris McDonald says it's not censorship, but that he is just being cautious in case of complaints from local people.

He says: "You just have to be a little careful, it doesn't bother me personally but some people in the town might find it offensive.

"I've just done it so people don't complain and I don't want to give them the chance.

The original poster has been widely seen

"You've got a predominantly retired population here who may take offence from it, and the last thing I want is someone coming in and complaining about it."

Responses by passers-by in Dorchester who were asked about the covered-up poster, and shown a copy of the uncovered original, produced mixed responses.

"It should be covered up, because there are kids walking past," said one.

"Oh this is Dorchester being prude is it?" asked another woman.

"It doesn't bother me, I think it's funny."

"I've seen worse than this, I just think it's silly."

Cinema manager Chris McDonald

After hearing some of the comments received by people in the town, cinema manager Chris McDonald said the cover-up label would remain in place.

He says: "We had to put the 'now showing' sign on so what better place to put it?

"If the poster wasn't suitable to put up [the film company] wouldn't have published it.

"But you can't please everyone, you never can."