November 9, 2006


Borat Banned in Russia

Blogian carries news that the BBC Russian site says Borat’s Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan will not be shown in Russia. Unfortunately, Simon thinks Armenia will follow suit and I guess he’s right. However, I live in hope that it will at least make it here on DVD and earn itself an underground following like South Park.

The decision comes after Kazakhstani, Jewish, Muslim (Azerbaijanis too?) and Gypsy groups and officials have talked against the movie. At least Armenians are not against, according to the report (since there is no mention of them).

I assume they will not show “Borat” in Armenia either. If they do, they will most likely (and I think they should) mute some Armenian words (at least one phrase) that are really offensive in the Armenian culture.

For more on everyone’s favorite Kazakh journalist, see the official web site at http://www.boratmovie.com. To be honest, the film almost certainly can be considered insulting and racist to Kazakhs, and also apparently Gypsies, but it is so damn funny. Anyway, as some of you might have noticed, I’ve also added a Borat category to this blog.


YouTube has loads of Borat clips here, and as he originally came from Da Ali G Show, there’s also some clips of my favorite character of all here.

Posted by Onnik @ 2:26 pm. Filed under: Armenia, Cinema, Film, Freedom of Speech, Caucasus, Humor, United Kingdom, Russia, Censorship, Kazakhstan, Borat




4 Comments »

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  1. The BBC’s main English language site has more.

    Russia has banned the hit comedy film, Borat, which has been accused of poking fun at Moscow’s neighbour and close ally Kazakhstan.

    The film stars British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen as a spoof reporter on a trip to the US.

    A senior official at Russia’s culture ministry has told the BBC it will not provide a distribution licence.

    The film has been described as a “mockumentary” which follows Mr Cohen’s journey across the US.

    On the way, he has a series of real-life encounters with unsuspecting Americans in which he makes the most outrageous, sexist, racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic comments.

    […]

    Some reviewers have described it as “hysterical” and “the funniest film of the year”.

    But there are others - not least the government of Kazakhstan - who say it is deeply offensive.

    One Kazakh diplomat says that the depiction of his country as violent, primitive and oppressive bears no resemblance to reality.

    And it seems the Russian authorities are also not amused.

    Interestingly, while Borat manages to poke fun at the Americans as well, the BBC reports that it proved more popular than current Hollywood films when it opened stateside.

    Spoof Kazakh reporter Borat - aka Ali G comedian Sacha Baron Cohen - has scored a surprise box office hit in the US.

    The film - with its naked wrestling and toilet humour - took $26.4m (£13.9m) in the US and Canada at the weekend, more than double estimated forecasts.

    It was expected to open in the top five, but well behind The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, which opened in second place with $20m (£10.53m).

    Borat opened in just 837 cinemas, while Santa Clause 3 debuted in 3,458.

    Meanwhile the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan has invited Sacha Baron Cohen to visit his country.

    “I’d like to invite Cohen here. He can discover a lot of things,” said deputy foreign minister Rakhat Aliyev.

    In the film, Cohen’s character Borat portrays Kazakhs as a nation of misogynists, racists and anti-Semites.

    […]

    Mr Aliyev told local news agency Kazakhstan Today that Cohen could learn “women drive cars, wine is made of grapes, and Jews are free to go to synagogues”.

    […]

    Kazakhstan’s largest chain of cinemas, Otau, said in September that it will not be showing the film.

    “We consider this movie offensive, a complete lie and nonsense,” distribution manager Ruslan Sultanov told Reuters.

    “It’s a shame that some Americans will probably believe what they see there,” he added.

    The Kazakh authorities also shut down Cohen’s website, www.borat.kz, leading him to set up a new one, www.borat.tv.

    Comment by Onnik — November 9, 2006 @ 3:07 pm

  2. The reason Borat flies in America is because we Americans live everyday by getting our intelligence insulted from all corners. We had Don Rickels who insulted everybody-and made a fortune, we had Andy Kaufman (Lotka Kravis), who incidentally Sacha tries to copy, and we have a myriad of politicians that insult our intelligence every day. In America it’s all about money and Borat was the latest effort at insulting our intelligence - and it will make lots of money.

    Comment by Darwin Jamgochian — November 9, 2006 @ 5:56 pm

  3. Should I go to the movies and watch BORAT or should I stay at home to polish my windows?

    YOU decide - come and vote at http://safiaaoude.blogspot.com/

    Comment by Safia — November 9, 2006 @ 11:36 pm

  4. There are a bunch of Borat clips on Youtube. The one that I enjoyed most is the one about politics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdfWGv0frC4 This clip I guess I liked because what Borat talks in “his country” is very close to some of the things going on in Armenia. “If you don’t vote for him, he will take power!”

    Word has it that the Kazakhstan President contacted Robert Kocharian to ask if we were with them or against them? This had something to do with the Armenian (who happens to be a close friend of mine) in the movie.

    Comment by Ara Manoogian — November 12, 2006 @ 1:57 am

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