NationStates Jolt Archive

source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6130918.stm)


Borat spoof film banned in Russia

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 described as a "mockumentary" which follows Mr Cohen's travel 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.

'Not amused'

It has proved to be a big hit in the US and Europe, where it opened last weekend.

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.

A culture ministry official in Moscow told the BBC it had refused to issue a distribution licence because the film could potentially humiliate different ethnic groups and religions.

The official would not give any further details, except to say the distributors had the right to appeal against the government's decision.

PC once again rears its ugly head, this time in Russia. IMO, showing sensitivity is fine, but not when it involves banning things.

Censorship = the evil clouds of unhappiness and no fun :(

I'm against censorship, but I really don't blame them.

What the hell happened to the badass Soviet Russia who simply said "STFU n00b" whenever one of their crappy Central Asian republics started acting up?

Russia has slid far since the good old days...:(

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

Yeah, I'm sure that his country is one big freedom loving, non-oppressive nation. The perfect example of liberty in action.

I just can't help but laugh at how seriously the whole movie is being taken. It's the guy who does Ali G, for chrissakes. Have a sense of humour, ya?

I wonder what would happen if the French made a spoof movie about a citizen of the US who was a drunken, sister-screwing, gun-toting, redneck inbred Fred Phelps-loving Republican? I bet the US would just welcome that movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.

Censorship = the evil clouds of unhappiness and no fun :(

Amen.

What the hell happened to the badass Soviet Russia who simply said "STFU n00b" whenever one of their crappy Central Asian republics started acting up?

Afghanistan happened.

I wonder what would happen if the French made a spoof movie about a citizen of the US who was a drunken, sister-screwing, gun-toting, redneck inbred Fred Phelps-loving Republican? I bet the US would just welcome that movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.

I am so adding that to my sig. :D

Russia has slid far since the good old days...:(

Not to mention the music they used to crank out! either with orchestra or choir, always dripping with power and emotion.

And about Borat: personally I dont follow that brand of humour, but I dont think the movie was as much directed at Kaz-stan as the US.

I wonder what would happen if the French made a spoof movie about a citizen of the US who was a drunken, sister-screwing, gun-toting, redneck inbred Fred Phelps-loving Republican? I bet the US would just welcome that movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.

*steals idea*

And about Borat: personally I dont follow that brand of humour, but I dont think the movie was as much directed at Kaz-stan as the US.

I think he tried to pick a nationality few people are familiar with, and one with little access to tv :D Oops! Globalisation strikes again!

Afghanistan happened.

Yeah, that was a bad idea. "Our economy is clearly stagnating, but rather than spend the money on new industrial equipment and infrastructure, let's invade a small Central Asian country with little or no resources and commit hundreds of thousands of troops even though it's guaranteed to get the US invovled"

The difference is here, I can only choose to ignore "Borat."

*steals idea*

*slaps forehead*

Beat me to it. :(

I think he tried to pick a nationality few people are familiar with, and one with little access to tv :D Oops! Globalisation strikes again!

Well, its not like this movie was designed to be inoffensive. That they offended someone else is but a little bonus Im sure. Is it just me or has British comedy in general taken a turn toward pissing off people they dont like?

I wonder what would happen if the French made a spoof movie about a citizen of the US who was a drunken, sister-screwing, gun-toting, redneck inbred Fred Phelps-loving Republican? I bet the US would just welcome that movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.
Like the US hasn't already made movies poking fun at rednecks.
(Cousin Vicki: "I'm going steady, and I French kiss."
Audrey: "So? Everybody does that."
Cousin Vicki: "Yeah, but Daddy says I'm the best at it.")

Anyway, they'd screen it. No-one would go watch it, but they'd still screen it. So how you can make up such an silly analogy is beyond me.


Anyone else find the irony in that the 'Evil Empire' is banning a movie that ridicules Americans?

Ironically, this will only make the movie more popular in Russia...

Ironically, this will only make the movie more popular in Russia...

But of course. It is the historical imperative of the Russian government to ban things.
Just as it is the historical imperative of the Russian people to do/buy/watch/debate those things anyway.
S'been going on since Peter the Great, at least, most likely before that.

Meanwhile, in Medeival Rus:

Oleg: Hey Svyatoslav, want to go rape and pillage some Scandanavian villages?

Svyatoslav: (winks) Gosh, Oleg, I dont know Oleg. Prince Yaropolk told us not to.

Both: (laughing)

I wonder what would happen if the French made a spoof movie about a citizen of the US who was a drunken, sister-screwing, gun-toting, redneck inbred Fred Phelps-loving Republican? I bet the US would just welcome that movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.

I wish they would, I'd pay good money to see that.

I wonder what would happen if the French made a spoof movie about a citizen of the US who was a drunken, sister-screwing, gun-toting, redneck inbred Fred Phelps-loving Republican? I bet the US would just welcome that movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.

Except that this movie already does that and we have and it is. Thing is, Borat is clearly fictional and his representation of his country is clearly constructed, but the Americans in the movie are real. And this movie makes wwwaaaaayyyy more fun of Americans than it does the people Kazakhstan. So yes, it seems that we would indeed accept such a movie with open arms and screen it everywhere.

And if that's not enough, theres:
European Vacation (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089670/)
and-
whateverthehellthenameofthatmovie was that came out about 8 years ago about American tourists...which would have been better if I had remembered the name of it...ah well...

Amen.

Thirded

Cannot think of a name has got it in one.

Mr Cohen pokes fun at the people he interviews. In Borat, he is taking the piss out of the dumb americans that have no idea where Kazakhstan is or what its like. This then leaves them open for him to exploit their naivety/ignorance to make everyone who is in the know laugh.

Nevertheless, I can see why the Kazakhstani's aren't too amused.

Borat is hilarious. You gotta love how people seem to make themselves look ridiculous around him. Like the guy who told him they were trying to hang all the gays.....

I can't wait for the Bruno movie. :D

In Sovjet Russia, movie censors you.

In Sovjet Russia, movie censors you.

Bah! In Soviet Russia Borat censors you :eek: