RUB Entertainment hosting controversial film “Sausage Party” this weekend

A Reitz Union Board Entertainment-sponsored movie is drawing mixed reactions from students.

“Sausage Party” will be shown at the Reitz Union three times this weekend: Friday at 8:45 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. The R-rated movie drew criticism for its crude language, play on racial stereotypes and sexual jokes after its release in August.

The movie features personified foods in a grocery store. The characters hope to be taken home by humans, whom they call “the gods.” The movie applies racial stereotypes to the food, including a Hispanic taco and a Jewish bagel. Some jokes also focus on the LGBTQ+ community.

RUB Entertainment’s film committee screens movies from many genres, including recent releases, classics, foreign and independent films. Kaitlin Milligan, a 21-year-old UF telecommunication senior and the RUB Entertainment president, said the film committee votes on the movies to show at each week.

She declined to comment further about this weekend’s movie choice.

According to Alligator archives, over the Summer, GatorNights staff members considered applying an age limit to their events to only allow those 18 and older, but it hasn’t been implemented.

Sunny Saini, 21, said he worries about children being brought to the movie. RUB Entertainment allows students to bring one guest with them.

“Just the promotional artwork can be misleading,” the UF geology senior said. “Parents who don’t follow the movie may just think it’s another cartoon.”

Gabe Lara, the interim associate director for Multicultural and Diversity Affairs, said the topics covered in the movie are not what should be encouraged on campus.

“As a professional working in multicultural affairs, that is not the type of language and dialogue I would like to see,” he said.

He said jokes made at the expense of different races and the LGBTQ+ community are not something he finds funny.

Lara said although he wouldn’t encourage students to see the movie, he would want those who do attend to be cautious about accepting the movies’ stereotypes.

“We’re suggesting that students be mindful of what they’re doing and what they’re going to watch,” he said.

Daniel Bowen, a UF history and political science senior, said the movie should be shown. Although the content in “Sausage Party” is blunt and straightforward, the movie was well-made with an original concept, he said.

With a Hispanic taco, a Jewish bagel and a disabled hot dog, the movie was interesting in a bizarre way, he said.

“Some people might find it offensive,” the 21-year-old said. “It was offensive, but they joke about everyone. The movie doesn’t single out one group.”