9.04.2008

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Mercy. There are far too many good things to say about this film as it is much more a full body sensation than just a comedy/documentary.


Fictional Kazakhstani documentary filmmaker Borat travels to the U.S. and A. to make an informational film for his country. Traveling with a chicken in his suitcase and the same stinky suit he sets out to interview different groups in the US, from feminists to politicians to rodeo officials to fraternity boys. What he uncovers is the ugly intolerance and ignorance of some Americans.

There are no limits to what actor/writer Sasha Baron Cohen will do to provoke a reaction. There is an abundance of feces, male nudity, and inappropriate "sexy" talk, much of which has been reserved up until now for only the crudest corners of the entertainment industry. Borat is now mainstream having broken many of these taboos.

Playing on popular prejudices against women, homosexuals, Jews and foreigners, he is able to illicit some incredible insights into what American culture really believes behind the thin veneer of tolerance. 

The last 20 minutes of the film become tiresome as they haven't the shock and awe so frequently displayed in the first 3/4. A melodramatic story takes over and we get less of the commentary on America that we had been enjoying.

Truth: America can not be the saviour of mankind as it is barely interested in anyone outside its own borders. Conservatism leads to ignorance (that doesn't necessarily let Liberalism off the hook).

Official Site | IMDB

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