Borat review

Borat: Cultural Learning’s of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
Hannah Rose

Are we ready for Kazakhstani celebrity Sacha Cohen or are his racist jokes and old fashioned views on feminism too much for Britain?



Sacha Boran Cohen’s film Borat was released on the 2nd of November 2006. This was his second attempt at a film for the comedian, who previously took Ali G to the big screen in 2002.

In this film, his new creation, a Kazakhstani TV reporter and media celebrity Borat, journeys through America in a newly purchased ice cream van in a quest to pick up some typically American cultural tips from this “great centre for democracy, industry and porno.” As Borat grapples with feminists, frat boys, preachers and Pamela Anderson, the newfound love of his life, he successfully turns the spotlight on his unsuspecting victims and provides interesting, eye opening insights into life in the US.

There had been much controversy over Borat and whether it’s racist and xenophobic or just plain, silly humour. Some struggle to see why Cohen’s use of race in his comedy is offensive. They argue the jokes play on the caricatures of minorities and are tuned to the humour of a primarily white audience. Others hold the opinion that ‘the reason Cohen is funny is not so much that he reinforces the racist impulses of his audience as much as he brings to light the racist, homophobic, ignorant attitudes of his targets, who are just everyday Americans. Many agree and think Borat is a brilliant way of exposing people’s racist views by disguising himself in the character. However there are people that disagree and think Borat is anti-Semitic and that his character is a derogatory portrayal of Kazakhstanis.


Borat himself is Jewish and explains his character’s racist nature is a dramatic demonstration of how “racism feeds on the dumb conformity, as much as rabid bigotry” rather than a display of racism by Boran Cohen himself. Many different groups of people have complained or are unhappy about this film. The Anti-Defamation League, a US based Jewish rights group complained after they heard some of the messages portrayed in the film. The Kazakh government was also not pleased with the Borat character or his popularity. They described his behaviour as utterly unacceptable and incompatible with the ethics and civilised behaviour of Kazakhstan’s people.

I didn’t enjoy the film that much when I saw it. I got bored of the repetitive comedy towards the end. Overall I think the film has been quite a success in the UK so far and will continue to make large profits from the ticket sales.