NationStates Jolt Archive

Was Sasha Baron Cohen's character a stroke of genius, exposing the ignorance and stupidity of the western world and making us laugh at the same time, or just a racist and facist that goes to far to get money and ratings?

Was Sasha Baron Cohen's character a stroke of genius, exposing the ignorance and stupidity of the western world and making us laugh at the same time, or just a racist and facist that goes to far to get money and ratings?

Yes to the first and no to the last.

What's a less than nice way of saying his character was a total piece of shit?

Borat is a racist, sexist, bigoted, ignorant Kazakh journalist. Borat is also a character portrayed by Sascha Boren Cohen, an actor/comedian, and is all those things to highlight the racism, sexism, bigoted nature and ignorance of those he encounters, as well as generally creating embarrasing situations based on 'cultural misunderstandings', all for the lulz.

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Just wasn't that funny to be honest.

Was Sasha Baron Cohen's character a stroke of genius, exposing the ignorance and stupidity of the western world and making us laugh at the same time, or just a racist and facist that goes to far to get money and ratings?
How about neither? Everyone who thinks that Cohen exploiting other people's willingness to be hospitable to a foreign stranger is some sort of cunning social satire is an irredeemable moron. As far as the movie goes, the parts based on character were funny, the scenes where he just acted like an asshole (the entire scene in that southern families house, for instance) were just painful to watch.

I understand it's susposed to be satire, I just don't think it is. I think most of the times the audience laughed at the Borat movie they were taking it at more or less face value. And I'm not sure there's any other way to take it.

I enjoyed the film greatly. I'm just not sure how much good it did.

It was funny in places, cringeworthy in others, but hardly had a underlying moral to give out.

It was funny in places, cringeworthy in others, but hardly had a underlying moral to give out.

Indeed, but then comedy is about the laughs huh, not some sort of morality.

Indeed, but then comedy is about the laughs huh, not some sort of morality.

Indeed, comedy never sets out to be politically correct nor factually correct, it's there to make us laugh, any moral reasoning is a sideline.

Was Sasha Baron Cohen's character a stroke of genius, exposing the ignorance and stupidity of the western world and making us laugh at the same time, or just a racist and facist that goes to far to get money and ratings?

Can't it be both?

Can't it be both?it IS both.. it was a genius stroke for Sacha Cohen, he is now a WW showbiz celebrity, but overall the movie has the moral value of Jerry Springler withe-trash latest PPV shows.

It has the moral value of internet fake-rape porn. (very bad). but it was a genius stroke, it gave Sasha Baron Cohen a shitload of fame and fortune, it did put him on the World map.

and yes, the movie was a laugh.

I didn't think the movie was anti-Semitic or anything. In fact, I consider Sacha Baron Cohen to be a very good actor, and I would not be averse to seeing another movie in which he appears.

However, I didn't like Borat. More accurately, I did not enjoy Borat. In fact, I walked out of the room after about 15 minutes (this was in our hotel room, not a theater). The main reason was that I don't like or appreciate crude humor. I also do not like awkward situations in entertainment - where a character is caught in a lie and must improvise to cover it up (I know this is often considered comedy, but I just don't like it, personally). Finally, I had an attractive alternative - playing Age of Empires III in the other room. Slaughtering European soldiers > a movie saturated with crude humor.

I didn't think the movie was anti-Semitic. :rolleyes: Sasha Baron Cohen is Jewish.

:rolleyes: Sasha Baron Cohen is Jewish.

I know. In fact, he's an observant Jew.

Some parts were dire, some parts were awesome: his behaviour towards the kindly old couple in the B&B was shameful, but the Rodeo was hilarious.

I didn't think the movie was anti-Semitic or anything. In fact, I consider Sacha Baron Cohen to be a very good actor, and I would not be averse to seeing another movie in which he appears.

However, I didn't like Borat. More accurately, I did not enjoy Borat. In fact, I walked out of the room after about 15 minutes (this was in our hotel room, not a theater). The main reason was that I don't like or appreciate crude humor. I also do not like awkward situations in entertainment - where a character is caught in a lie and must improvise to cover it up (I know this is often considered comedy, but I just don't like it, personally). Finally, I had an attractive alternative - playing Age of Empires III in the other room. Slaughtering European soldiers > a movie saturated with crude humor.


In other words, you have no sense of humour.

his behaviour towards the kindly old couple in the B&B was shameful.you realize it was staged/scripted dont you?
but yes, the movie was hilarious.

Can't it be both?
Shades of grey are way too hard for NSG.

you realize it was staged/scripted dont you?
but yes, the movie was hilarious.

Where did you hear that? The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2006/11/18/duped_by_borat_couple_rises_above_insults_and_has_a_laugh/) seems to disagree.

In other words, you have no sense of humour.

I take offense to that. I have a sense of humor, just not the same one as everyone else. I very much enjoy Monty Python, for instance.

It was funny in places, cringeworthy in others, but hardly had a underlying moral to give out.


I'm into the cringeworthy humor thing though. It may be sick, but I love to watch videos of people beign tasered and laugh my #ss off. I love watching them go from beligerant to compliant in .015 seconds. I also find that some people need their ass kicked every now and again to keep them straight. I sure as hell did and had family member more than willing to indulge me. The part with the hairy man #ss in his face disgusted some people but just made me laugh. Then again the pillow party in Full Metal Jacket makes m laugh too. The movie wasn't as great as everyone made it out to be but when he brings back the bag of his own sh#t was commedy gold.

Was Sasha Baron Cohen's character a stroke of genius, exposing the ignorance and stupidity of the western world and making us laugh at the same time, or just a racist and facist that goes to far to get money and ratings?
Neither.

I had heard so many friends raving about how awesome Borat was, how it was the funniest movie ever, how it was so shocking and so offensive, and on and on. But when I watched it, I just found it dull. The bit with the bear was the only part that got me to laugh. The rest was just tired and boring. Racism and sexism are the opposite of edgy.

Shades of grey are way too hard for NSG.

'Shades of grey' sounds too depressing. I call it the 'Happy Medium'. :)

Where did you hear that?rent the DVD and check the film edit timing -parallel- to the camera angles shifting.. its move making 101.

What scenes were not staged/edited/re-cliped/retaken/etc. ?
this ones: AFAIR

The Feminists scene.
The US anthem scene.
The students scene.
The pants down at the Hotel scene.
The politician interview scene.
The asking questions to people walking scene.
The taking a shit/masturbating outside scene.
the running naked at the Realtor convention scene.

what was staged/fake?

All the Katsakistan episodes.
All the elderly Jews episode.
All the inside the Ice cream truck episodes.
The driving lessons.
and many others

Cohen is a Performance Artist, just like his hero Andy Kaufmann. Simple.

I also won't be surprised if people are stupid enough to accept Borat as justification of their 'm05l3m r 3b1l' viewpoint. The country is full of shallow people who can actually do such things.

How about neither? Everyone who thinks that Cohen exploiting other people's willingness to be hospitable to a foreign stranger is some sort of cunning social satire is an irredeemable moron. As far as the movie goes, the parts based on character were funny, the scenes where he just acted like an asshole (the entire scene in that southern families house, for instance) were just painful to watch.

He is satirical, thats the whole point. I mean it's so damn obvious, consider this scene for instance:

Borat is in the middle of a stadium making a speech, he then goes "I support America's war of terror", and then huge cheers erupt from the crowds.

I thought Borat was funny as hell.

Some parts were dire, some parts were awesome: his behaviour towards the kindly old couple in the B&B was shameful.

please :rolleyes:

An overrated attention whore.

An overrated attention whore.

Enough about you already. What about Borat?

I enjoyed Borat. The shitting in the doggy bag at the formal dinner was just stupid.

There are funnier movies out there that don't try to offend everyone. i would much rather watch a movie that isn't risky and is instead actually funny.

I believe that Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan has the longrest title of all the articles to become Wikipedia's Article Of The Day.

Ali G Indahouse was better

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/36483000/jpg/_36483816_ali_g300.jpg

I support allowing immigration based on hotness :)

Little of both I suppose. Although some people may call it immature it was pretty funny and really makes us think about our culture. SO I guess it leans a little more towards genuis.

Who cares, it was funny either way

The rest was just tired and boring. Racism and sexism are the opposite of edgy.

About as edgy as tired British stereotypes about Americans.

I have to say I was surprised to see it do so well over there.

Ali G Indahouse was better

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/36483000/jpg/_36483816_ali_g300.jpg

I support allowing immigration based on hotness :)That has to be the best movie I have ever seen.

For the ladies, my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. All callers should be over 16 years old -- but not by much.

Suddenly, after reading this thread, I have a craving for boiled Irish baby.

About as edgy as tired British stereotypes about Americans.

I have to say I was surprised to see it do so well over there.
Is it still a stereotype if he provoked the reaction spontaneously from people?

Was Sasha Baron Cohen's character a stroke of genius, exposing the ignorance and stupidity of the western world and making us laugh at the same time, or just a racist and facist that goes to far to get money and ratings?

I can't say genius, just quite deft and skilled. Quite funny in that setting, and as Colbert may say, took some balls.

Is it still a stereotype if he provoked the reaction spontaneously from people?

I think so.

Obviously people nearing a certain stereotype (say, ignorant redneck) do exist. But basing your humour on showing these people is still far from edgy.

Perhaps it was a bit too close to the anti-american elitism I have known for a long time IRL for me to find the same tired routine funny again.