syrinx

I have been a Sacha Baron Cohen (alias Ali G & alias Borat) fan for some time and went to see the now infamous Borat film last night. As I left the theatre I remarked to my companions that people who were not familiar with the satire of Ali G would not like or understand the intention of this movie. I was right on that score. Unfortunately I had laughed out loud and was severely scolded by some friends who were in the theatre and knew my laughter. They saw the movie purely as ridiculing the people of Kazakhstan, and were sufficiently offended by what they saw as purely crude humour that they left before the end.

Even understanding where "Borat" is coming from, I did find the depiction of Jewish bulls a la Spain bull-running festivals at the beginning of the movie really over the top, but at least partially appreciated later on the intense, irrational prejudices that were being portrayed (Borat and his agent are terrified by the kindly Jewish hosts of a B&B where they stay, clutching their crosses as they flee in the middle of the night). These types of prejudices, be they against Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, atheists... are not funny, and I think that was the point, to depict them so graphically that we couldn’t fail to appreciate their absurdity.

Unfortunately, if people hadn’t followed some of the Ali G show beforehand, the only overt hint of the movie's satiristic intentions (or at least the creators' intentions if not those who manage the box office) was the extended title (Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan) which did not linger long. Perhaps it was intended that the responses of audiences to the film be part of the satire - after all, the success of the satires rests on those intentions not being well known!

If Sacha Baron Cohen made one big mistake, it may have been in not giving X'stan a completely fictitious name. (But then again, that might have created even wider discomfort.)

Reading Kenneth Turan's commentary "Borat" Laughing and Cringing at Uncomfortable Satire before going to the movie may help to lessen the shock. As for myself, I think I better watch videos with the windows closed rather than originals in the theatre!

tags: satire borat film