The Reason behind "Borat"

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  • Stereotype
    Stereotype Maribor, Slovenia Posts: 885
    its a critique of american ideals. We so often think of non industrialized or non civilized nations like kazakstan as backward and the people that live there as being savages or non civilized.

    What borat found when he came to america, was homophobia, racism, sexism etc...

    its a social critique of america. There is no question this film is wildly popular, the question though remains,
    will people understand this is a satire, and a political film

    Cheers to borat for sticking it to american audiences. This is our society folks, he didnt show us anything new really new, just made the points and ideas more stark and stunning. This is what we are to the rest of the world folks! The laim that we are free and independent and great falls on deaf ears. Just watch the film

    Then start overthrowing the existing order. Is this really the image we want for our children? Is this what america has come to symbolize? Racism, sexism and homophobia? The answers extremely clear

    I totally agree with Che. This film highlights many themes but I'm afraid most people let them slip through their minds.

    Etnocentrism is the way USA percieves itself, always has, but nowadays it is becoming painfully clear and countries with less power know that very well. Europe with colonialism was not far behind.
    Here is the etnocentrism idea: The ones that were not like "us" are not living the "right" way, therefore we must show them how to be "civilised", so we could live together. Then "we" must be awarded for "helping" them. One way is "generously" let them work for us. They must always be grateful and if possible look and live like us, but if they become us, well...they can never be us, because they are different! Modern means smarter. Religion with one god is the true religion, the one with more gods is a myth, a stage before turning to one god. etc etc..
    I could go on and on. This thought was limping with western civilisation and is still present today. Nothing is better. There are just different ways. But It seems we cant stand that. When it is far away everything is ok. We are fascinated, we go to vacation and dance to their music, eat their food and practice their believes but if they come to close we are endangered somehow..WHY???

    I hope someday we could answer that.Maybe it has to do with power or possesions, or ideas that are so colectively interwined that it's hard to by-pass them.
    If we could answer it, then maybe we could fix it. So much things could be different...Capitalism is wrong, democracy is ruled by individuals, corporations and USA are pretty much ruling the world...It so f**** up. Racism exsist even though there is greater genetic diversity among etnic groups then between two of them.
    Well after we devided the air and drew imaginary lines it's clear..we're capable of anything.

    I'm sorry about my english. If things would be different maybe I could write in my own language and you would understand it, as I understand english.
    Borat is a great movie. I hope next one from Sacha is more critical and more clear. He is very talented and doing so much for the Jews...hands down..
    The worst enemies of music? Money and Mathematics. Combined with music, they both do the exact opposite of what they're supposed to do. Money makes music cheap, mathematics makes it stupid and predictable.

    ____

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  • he still stands
    he still stands Posts: 2,835
    Stereotype wrote:
    I totally agree with Che. This film highlights many themes but I'm afraid most people let them slip through their minds.

    Etnocentrism is the way USA percieves itself, always has, but nowadays it is becoming painfully clear and countries with less power know that very well. Europe with colonialism was not far behind.
    Here is the etnocentrism idea: The ones that were not like "us" are not living the "right" way, therefore we must show them how to be "civilised", so we could live together. Then "we" must be awarded for "helping" them. One way is "generously" let them work for us. They must always be grateful and if possible look and live like us, but if they become us, well...they can never be us, because they are different! Modern means smarter. Religion with one god is the true religion, the one with more gods is a myth, a stage before turning to one god. etc etc..
    I could go on and on. This thought was limping with western civilisation and is still present today. Nothing is better. There are just different ways. But It seems we cant stand that. When it is far away everything is ok. We are fascinated, we go to vacation and dance to their music, eat their food and practice their believes but if they come to close we are endangered somehow..WHY???

    I hope someday we could answer that.Maybe it has to do with power or possesions, or ideas that are so colectively interwined that it's hard to by-pass them.
    If we could answer it, then maybe we could fix it. So much things could be different...Capitalism is wrong, democracy is ruled by individuals, corporations and USA are pretty much ruling the world...It so f**** up. Racism exsist even though there is greater genetic diversity among etnic groups then between two of them.
    Well after we devided the air and drew imaginary lines it's clear..we're capable of anything.

    I'm sorry about my english. If things would be different maybe I could write in my own language and you would understand it, as I understand english.
    Borat is a great movie. I hope next one from Sacha is more critical and more clear. He is very talented and doing so much for the Jews...hands down..

    Great post. I'd simply like to add that this movie made me disgusted of my country. People in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are offended by this movie, but they should realize that this movie is poking fun at the US more than Kyrgyzstan or wherever. And the people that are being exposed as bigots are the same demographic that voted for Bush. Unfortunately its a large portion of our country.
    Everything not forbidden is compulsory and eveything not compulsory is forbidden. You are free... free to do what the government says you can do.
  • kenny olav
    kenny olav Posts: 3,319
    I'm surprised no one has posted the Rolling Stone interview with Sasha Baron Cohen...

    well he's quite an interesting guy

    http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/sacha_baron_cohen_the_real_borat_finally_speaks
  • Scratchin a Letter
    Scratchin a Letter Posts: 2,303
    Kenny Olav wrote:
    I'm surprised no one has posted the Rolling Stone interview with Sasha Baron Cohen...

    well he's quite an interesting guy

    http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/sacha_baron_cohen_the_real_borat_finally_speaks
    There was a four page interview with Baron-Cohen in yesterday's Independent. Came across as an extremely intelligent man, also gave a lot of insight into the origins of Ali G.
  • Dino283
    Dino283 Posts: 81
    MrBrian wrote:
    I think cohen (the actor playing borat) developed this chracter to prove that people hate jews,

    Like he's trying to prove a point. anyone else think so?
    sadly some people DO hate jew's.and muslim's.and christian's. Religion aint the issue.its about making fun out a the USA.That Boret guy is a dick,if he came to my town an sung some bullshit song the folks would of kicked his ass.but I wouldent go see this movie.It looks prety lame imo.
    I’d thank my lucky stars,
    to be livin here today.
    ‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
    and they can’t take that away.

    And I’m proud to be an American,
    where at least I know I’m free.
    And I wont forget the men who died,
    who gave that right to me.
  • Vedderlution_Baby
    Vedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
    Dino283 wrote:
    sadly some people DO hate jew's.and muslim's.and christian's. Religion aint the issue.its about making fun out a the USA.That Boret guy is a dick,if he came to my town an sung some bullshit song the folks would of kicked his ass.but I wouldent go see this movie.It looks prety lame imo.


    Well that's a good way to disprove his point that americans are hostile and ignorant. Beat his ass. That'll show him just how culturally rounded you are.
  • SundaySilence
    SundaySilence Posts: 537
    Scratchin a Letter wrote:
    The quote from the mayor was the best thing I've read in ages.

    "They got paid, so I'm sure they'll be alright"

    Priceless

    "Indeed, when local vice-mayor Petre Buzea was asked whether the people felt offended by Baron Cohen's film, he replied: 'They got paid so I am sure they are happy. These gipsies will even kill their own father for money.'"
  • rebornFixer
    rebornFixer Posts: 4,901
    SundaySilence wrote:
    "Indeed, when local vice-mayor Petre Buzea was asked whether the people felt offended by Baron Cohen's film, he replied: 'They got paid so I am sure they are happy. These gipsies will even kill their own father for money.'"

    Another great example from the news the other night:
    A Kazak goatherder (seriously) was interviewed about Borat. His response was translated as something like "We Kazaks are tolerant, nice people ... But I still think Borat should be killed, straightaway".
  • MrBrian
    MrBrian Posts: 2,672
    reborncareerist wrote:
    Another great example from the news the other night:
    A Kazak goatherder (seriously) was interviewed about Borat. His response was translated as something like "We Kazaks are tolerant, nice people ... But I still think Borat should be killed, straightaway".

    dude don't lie! that's just too funny.

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