Fictional Borat Angers Real Kazakhstani Government
Filed under: Comedy, Casting, 20th Century Fox, DIY/Filmmaking, Toronto International Film Festival
I'm sorry, but you just can't buy this kind of publicity: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan -- Sacha Boren Cohen's new film based on his character Borat from Da Ali G Show -- has raised the ire of the real Kazakhstani government. Borat's (as described by Cinematical's Kim Voynar as "a clueless, anti-Semitic Kazakhstani journalist," ) new film is reportedly a hilarious (according to Cinematical's Scott Weinberg) mockumentary about Borat's quest to learn what American life is all about. In order to prove that Borat does not present an accurate portrayal of its citizens, the government of Kazakhstan is launching a PR blitz, and Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev says his government will purchase print and TV ads to promote a positive image of his country before Borat hits theaters on November 3. Furthermore, Nazarbayev will be meeting with President Bush in the coming weeks both at the White House and at the Bush family compound in Maine. Among the topics up for discussion between the two Presidents will be Borat.
The government of Kazakhstan has previously threatened Sacha Boren Cohen with legal action over his irreverent portrayal of the country and its people. Authorities have gone as far as to pull the plug on the www.borat.kz domain, though you can still find the character's official site at www.borat.tv.
[via Ain't It Cool News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-14-2006 @ 5:11PM
William Goss said...
Last I checked, it opens on November 3rd, not 23rd.
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 5:17PM
The Zero Boss said...
An impressive feat by Cohen, creating a diplomatic row between two companies and being a citizen of neither.
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 6:00PM
jmg said...
That's what i've been wondering... he's a product of the UK... where is BLAIR in all of this?
ALl the more reason (tho i needed none more than Borat himself) to see this =)
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 5:45PM
Porchland said...
Wow, it's just like an episode of "Da Ali G Show" except this time Cohen duped an entire COUNTRY!
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 6:01PM
Matt Bradshaw said...
William,
Yes indeed, Borat opens on November 3. Thanks for the heads up. I've changed the date in the posting.
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 7:02PM
The Jeremy said...
Borat reminds me of Mahir for some reason...
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 7:06PM
Geoff said...
Ach, Borat's been angering Kazakstan for some time now - since the character was created, in fact.
The country tried to get Borat banned a while back, but couldn't.
All in the name of comedy, eh?
Reply
9-14-2006 @ 7:37PM
Eric D. Snider said...
Kazakhstan is a real place?!
Reply