baboon2004
Darned cockwombles.
I don't think it is fundamentally wrong, just that the whole reason it is an issue is because of its connotations given the world we live in.
I don't think it is fundamentally wrong, just that the whole reason it is an issue is because of its connotations given the world we live in.
Guybrush
Dittohead
i didnt really think much of borat. maybe its cos i missed the first ten minutes but it just wasnt that funny. i wanted to laugh more than i actually did. i found parts of his sketches on TV really funny (when he sings the national anthem at the baseball game and goes into the showers; when he sings his song at that bar and everyone sings along) but for an entire film, it was repetitive. its good he didnt try to put borat into a conventional film narrative like the ali g film but it just makes borat seem like an overlong sketch outstaying its welcome.
i also found it slightly difficult and uncomfortable to watch as borat is clearly meant to be an east european/muslim and even if hes not, most people would likely recognise him as such. borat does in one scene actually clear up that hes not muslim when one redneck southerner tells him how to avoid being seen as such and there, were meant to realise the satirical genius of cohen (same thing as ali g really) as he once again makes other people look stupid, but its not really an eye opener at this stage, showing how dumb americans would be. it would have been more surprising if he did this in the UK.
i also find it incredible how many people support borat in the name of satire - there is some of that of course, but most of the films appeal comes from laughing AT (not with) borat and his idiocy (loveable though he might be) more than anything else. yeah, the stuff about how backward he and his country is is obviously OTT but it does play into what people basically think about muslims and well, east europeans (two groups who could probably do with better PR in the present climate) and works it for cheap laughs.
i also found it slightly difficult and uncomfortable to watch as borat is clearly meant to be an east european/muslim and even if hes not, most people would likely recognise him as such. borat does in one scene actually clear up that hes not muslim when one redneck southerner tells him how to avoid being seen as such and there, were meant to realise the satirical genius of cohen (same thing as ali g really) as he once again makes other people look stupid, but its not really an eye opener at this stage, showing how dumb americans would be. it would have been more surprising if he did this in the UK.
i also find it incredible how many people support borat in the name of satire - there is some of that of course, but most of the films appeal comes from laughing AT (not with) borat and his idiocy (loveable though he might be) more than anything else. yeah, the stuff about how backward he and his country is is obviously OTT but it does play into what people basically think about muslims and well, east europeans (two groups who could probably do with better PR in the present climate) and works it for cheap laughs.
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swears
preppy-kei
I love a bit of slapstick, low humour, crudity and all that. I don't think the film is groundbreaking anti-American imperialist satire and I don't think it's vile racist anti-Muslim propaganda either. Just a succession of cheap gags and references to willies and fannies.
I enjoyed it, anyway.
I enjoyed it, anyway.
baboon2004
Darned cockwombles.
Right on.
in the ali g series, there was also one interview (it was on the video of the interviews from that ch4 series he used to do with ian lee and daisy donovan) where he called bangladeshis pakis as well. and there wasnt any sort of satirical or greater point to be made by him saying that, he just seemed to get a kick out of saying it.
this hasnt/wont RIP cohens career - if anything it seems to be sending him into the stratosphere.
swears
preppy-kei
The European Union is opening it's borders to new members like Poland. There is a lot of hysteria in the right-wing press about a flood of immigrants, putting people out of work with cheap labour, etc. But no, they're not traditionally a figure of ridicule in the UK particularly.
S
simon silverdollar
Guest
saw this last night and didn't find it funny.
Guybrush
Dittohead
I see. A former Prime Minister incited a similar debate here in Sweden a couple of years ago (at the eve of the EU expansion) when he warned about "social tourists" from Eastern Europe eroding the Scandinavian welfare states; it turned out these allegations were groundless to say the least and the Poles, in particular, were incensed. Interestingly, in Sweden it's the right-wing press that is the most enthusiastic supporter of the influx of cheap labour (the prime minister I mentioned was a Social Democrat, for example).
You lost me after that.
UFO over easy
online mahjong
That this is so blindingly obvious is exactly the reason it's not racist. At all.
The fact that the actual character the movie is based on is so ridiculous makes the exposure of his victims (reference the the final solution advocating ranch owner, or the "SPRING BREAK!!" jock morons targeted by Bruno) even more poignant.
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OK, so people have heard of Kazakhstan (how many could point to it on a map, though? Really?). But before Borat, who had heard of anti-Kazakh racism? No one. Even if it existed, it certainly wasn't something we cared about. The fact that several people on this board casually ally British racism towards Poland, eg (a prejudice that has run through British culture on and off since at least the 1940s) with racism against Central Asian states shows how confused and simplistic we are about such issues.
For me, Borat has opened (whether S BC cares or not is beside the point, but I suspect he does a bit) the racism debate to encompass prejudice against all races/minorities, not just those with distinguished records of resistance and powerful lobbying voices. Kazakhstan certainly does not belong in this company, but does that make Kazakh jokes any more acceptable than black jokes? I think the most telling trend I've read in reports of the film is that people are most offended not by the Kazakh jokes, but by the 'Jew-running' scene. Jewish jokes appear to cause greater offence, and one thing S BC does appear to be asking is why should that be so - an absolutely legitimate question.
For me, Borat has opened (whether S BC cares or not is beside the point, but I suspect he does a bit) the racism debate to encompass prejudice against all races/minorities, not just those with distinguished records of resistance and powerful lobbying voices. Kazakhstan certainly does not belong in this company, but does that make Kazakh jokes any more acceptable than black jokes? I think the most telling trend I've read in reports of the film is that people are most offended not by the Kazakh jokes, but by the 'Jew-running' scene. Jewish jokes appear to cause greater offence, and one thing S BC does appear to be asking is why should that be so - an absolutely legitimate question.
baboon2004
Darned cockwombles.
Can't see it at all, sorry. Again, Rich Hall is another of his acolytes who I think is far funnier than the man himself.