Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Borats new movie

Looks very funny

Borat movie trailer here...

Kazakhstan launches anti-Borat effort

Tuesday, September 12 2006, 21:25 BST - by Dave West

The Kazakh government has announced a US campaign to counter the effect of the upcoming Borat movie - including a meeting with President George Bush.

Officials from Kazakhstan have complained about comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's portrayal of a television presenter from the country previously. Despite its threats, however, the Ali G creator has just premiered his movie at the Toronto Film Festival.

In retaliation, the country's government is to fund educational television adverts and print leaflets in America informing people about the "real Kazakhstan". President Nursultan Nazarbayev is also set to discuss the the issue with President George Bush in a meeting at the White House.

Borat characterises Kazakhs as sexist, racist and backward. The opening scene of the new film shows him kissing his sister goodbye then leaving for America - where the rest of the movie is set - in a car pulled by a horse.

Roman Vassilenko, a spokesman for the Kazak government, confirmed he would be raising the issue with President Bush. "The Government has expressed its displeasure about Borat's representation of our country," he explained. "Our opinion of the character has not changed.

"I cannot speak for the president himself, only for the government, but I certainly don't think President Nazarbayev and Mr Bush will share a joke about the film," the spokesman continued. "The bottom line is we want people to know that he does not represent the true people of Kazakhstan."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds36998.html

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

he's hilarious

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

They have a point - Borat is not PC. It wouldn't be any less 'funny' making the character a general east-european stereotype from a made-up country, but it would have been a lot less offensive.

Considering that most people know nothing about Kazakhstan, and probably associate it with 'Afghanistan', the only other '…stan' they know - I can't see how this will help matters.

After all these days its generally not considered acceptable to portray germans as the usual "Ver are yoor papers!?" stereotype, and don't even think about similar stereotyped portrayal of black 'jive talkers' or buck-toothed chinese laundry shop owners.

Is this really any different?

Edited September 14, 2006 by erekose

[danae 0]

Love Sacha I very mucha look forward to movie

Such an incredibly clever, funny guy

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

They have a point - Borat is not PC. It wouldn't be any less 'funny' making the character a general east-european stereotype from a made-up country, but it would have been a lot less offensive.

Considering that most people know nothing about Kazakhstan, and probably associate it with 'Afghanistan', the only other '…stan' they know - I can't see how this will help matters.

After all these days its generally not considered acceptable to portray germans as the usual "Ver are yoor papers!?" stereotype, and don't even think about similar stereotyped portrayal of black 'jive talkers' or buck-toothed chinese laundry shop owners.

Is this really any different?

yeah, people should just stick to portraying our president as a monkey

[Welshcookie 17]

They have a point - Borat is not PC.

Does humour have to be PC? All countries have to deal with it.....don't they?

Borat rocks!

I bet more ppl know about Kazakhstan now thanks to Borat

Edited September 14, 2006 by welshcookie

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

No - but in this case, just because its funny doesn't mean that it isn't racist.

It seems strange that its considered extremely offensive to parody certain peoples and ethnic groups, but somehow ok to laugh at east europeans?

[almaty 19]

They have a point - Borat is not PC. It wouldn't be any less 'funny' making the character a general east-european stereotype from a made-up country, but it would have been a lot less offensive.

Considering that most people know nothing about Kazakhstan, and probably associate it with 'Afghanistan', the only other '…stan' they know - I can't see how this will help matters.

After all these days its generally not considered acceptable to portray germans as the usual "Ver are yoor papers!?" stereotype, and don't even think about similar stereotyped portrayal of black 'jive talkers' or buck-toothed chinese laundry shop owners.

Is this really any different?

so true..a 1st class chopf##k

[mawilson 2,133]

After all these days its generally not considered acceptable to portray germans as the usual "Ver are yoor papers!?" stereotype

It's not?

[almaty 19]

They have a point - Borat is not PC.

Does humour have to be PC? All countries have to deal with it.....don't they?

Borat rocks!

I bet more ppl know about Kazakhstan now thanks to Borat

yeah, welch cake..for the wrong reasons

[danae 0]

No - but in this case, just because its funny doesn't mean that it isn't racist.

It seems strange that its considered extremely offensive to parody certain peoples and ethnic groups, but somehow ok to laugh at east europeans?

Yes it is considered offensive to laugh at certain ethnicities, but that is only because the PC brigade have pushed it so hard, and now we are all walking on eggshells- and IMO making a greater 'divide'.

And you know, people make assumptions and laugh about the ways of the Brits and certainly of Americans- this movie is no different.

I actually think it will do some good for the country. Like welshcookie said, it puts them on the map. They will be increasing awareness that it is not how Borat portrays- and Im sure the majority of intelligent people will of course realise this. Had the movie not existed, the countries efforts to increase awareness would have been in vain, as no one would have even cared.

Laughter brings people together

[rclouse 0]

"Theese is Natalia. (French kisses Natalia) She is my sister. She is number four prostitute in all of Kazaakhstan. (holds up trophy) Nice!"

[Heracles 417]

izz nicse!!

[Welshcookie 17]

Well I for one don't know anything much about Kazakhstan....but I am not stupid enought to think it is in anyway the same as he portrays it....just as I would hope that other people don't think that all we do here in the UK is drink tea and ride around in black cabs eating jellied eels with our extremely rotten teeth....

Edited September 14, 2006 by welshcookie

[one...two...tree 2,762]

No - but in this case, just because its funny doesn't mean that it isn't racist.

It seems strange that its considered extremely offensive to parody certain peoples and ethnic groups, but somehow ok to laugh at east europeans?

His original schtick was having this character interact with Americans who act differently around such a foreigner so he really was lampooning Americans' - at least on his HBO show. The fact that real people (his show was a reality based mocumentary) would actually fall for his overtly stereotyped, ethnic character was more a commentary about Americans view of foreigners. It's brilliant comedy. Unfortunately, the result is that now the character is iconic and people are laughing at him instead of with him about how stupid people can be in their narrow perceptions of foreigners.

Edited September 14, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky