Despite backlash, Borat entertains while offending
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
The world has never been the same since British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen introduced Borat Sagdiyev, his alter-persona to the masses.
The character was first introduced in HBO's Da Ali G Show as one of several personalities created and played by Cohen. Borat, a Kazakh journalist, is known for his odd behaviour, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and among other things his inane interviews with real people unaware of the guise.
In Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan begins in Borat's Kazakh village where he introduces his family (his sister is rated number four amongst Kazakh prostitutes), friends and neighbours before travelling to America to make a documentary for the Kazakh Ministry of Information. His mission is to document America's culture and bring his findings back to his native Kazakhstan.
Once in America, Borat and the producer of the “documentary”, Azamat Bagatov, begin their film in New York, where Borat experiences his first encounter travelling in a subway car. However, the innocent subway trip becomes frantic when Borat's chicken escapes from his baggage and thus the film's insanity ensues.
Although the film is very similar to the Borat skits from Da Ali G Show, the writers had to introduce a plot to the film for the script to effectively mesh. Therefore, after the American adventure begins Borat falls in love with Pamela Anderson after watching a Baywatch rerun. Subsequently, he must travel to California, where Pamela lives, in order to marry her and in Borat's words “make sexy time”.
For various reasons Borat cannot fly to California, thus, he buys an ice cream truck for his newfound journey. Along the way to the silicone state Borat stops in several cities to socialize with the American people. In Washington D.C he attends it's gay pride parade, in Alabama he learns the art of fine dining with a group of southerners and in Virginia he stops at a rodeo to sing an Americanized Kazakhstan national anthem. These are just fragments of Borat's journey through America you'll have to experience his comedic encounters for yourself to understand why, amongst other things, he would want the tears from a gypsy.
Despite the initial limited release, the film has continually increased locations in order to meet the demands of its success. The film has already averaged more than 60 million at the box office since it's North American release. Some critics have predicted it to be one of the top grossing comedies of all time.
Yet, even though the film has received great success it has brought tremendous controversy as well. Two South Carolina fraternity members have already filed a lawsuit for defamation of character against 20th Century Fox involving their participation in the film. They claim they were fooled into saying sexist and racist remarks in front of the camera.
Incidentally, the Romanian villagers, who agreed to portray Kazakh citizens in the film, may also sue. They claim to have been mislead and not informed of the true nature of the film. Conflict even arose during filming. In New York two members of the film crew spent a night in jail after they had taken some props from a hotel. Even Sacha Cohen at one point just barely avoided apprehension in a separate incident.
Although the film is controversial and will offend some, it will also appeal to many. However, what is cake to some is sardines to others, therefore approach with caution if you are easily offended.
An interesting facet about this film is that it introduces a new form of comedy and even though the humour at times is purely slapstick it is nonetheless a social commentary on the American way of life. This social satire will satisfy many, therefore, Jagshemash!
The world has never been the same since British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen introduced Borat Sagdiyev, his alter-persona to the masses.
The character was first introduced in HBO's Da Ali G Show as one of several personalities created and played by Cohen. Borat, a Kazakh journalist, is known for his odd behaviour, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and among other things his inane interviews with real people unaware of the guise.
In Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan begins in Borat's Kazakh village where he introduces his family (his sister is rated number four amongst Kazakh prostitutes), friends and neighbours before travelling to America to make a documentary for the Kazakh Ministry of Information. His mission is to document America's culture and bring his findings back to his native Kazakhstan.
Once in America, Borat and the producer of the “documentary”, Azamat Bagatov, begin their film in New York, where Borat experiences his first encounter travelling in a subway car. However, the innocent subway trip becomes frantic when Borat's chicken escapes from his baggage and thus the film's insanity ensues.
Although the film is very similar to the Borat skits from Da Ali G Show, the writers had to introduce a plot to the film for the script to effectively mesh. Therefore, after the American adventure begins Borat falls in love with Pamela Anderson after watching a Baywatch rerun. Subsequently, he must travel to California, where Pamela lives, in order to marry her and in Borat's words “make sexy time”.
For various reasons Borat cannot fly to California, thus, he buys an ice cream truck for his newfound journey. Along the way to the silicone state Borat stops in several cities to socialize with the American people. In Washington D.C he attends it's gay pride parade, in Alabama he learns the art of fine dining with a group of southerners and in Virginia he stops at a rodeo to sing an Americanized Kazakhstan national anthem. These are just fragments of Borat's journey through America you'll have to experience his comedic encounters for yourself to understand why, amongst other things, he would want the tears from a gypsy.
Despite the initial limited release, the film has continually increased locations in order to meet the demands of its success. The film has already averaged more than 60 million at the box office since it's North American release. Some critics have predicted it to be one of the top grossing comedies of all time.
Yet, even though the film has received great success it has brought tremendous controversy as well. Two South Carolina fraternity members have already filed a lawsuit for defamation of character against 20th Century Fox involving their participation in the film. They claim they were fooled into saying sexist and racist remarks in front of the camera.
Incidentally, the Romanian villagers, who agreed to portray Kazakh citizens in the film, may also sue. They claim to have been mislead and not informed of the true nature of the film. Conflict even arose during filming. In New York two members of the film crew spent a night in jail after they had taken some props from a hotel. Even Sacha Cohen at one point just barely avoided apprehension in a separate incident.
Although the film is controversial and will offend some, it will also appeal to many. However, what is cake to some is sardines to others, therefore approach with caution if you are easily offended.
An interesting facet about this film is that it introduces a new form of comedy and even though the humour at times is purely slapstick it is nonetheless a social commentary on the American way of life. This social satire will satisfy many, therefore, Jagshemash!
