Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Rarely are we offered such an offensive, comical critique of our own nation that we rush to the theaters to see it at our earliest convenience. Usually these forms of critiques come in the form of documentaries, or films searching for our golden friend Oscar. Borat, however, brings us something we’ve not yet been exposed to: the “come if you want, hope you enjoy what I had to say; if not, oh well” mentality. How refreshing!

Borat Sagdiyev is from Kazakhstan and makes his daily bread as a television reporter. He decides that he is going to leave his country, and travel to the United States to learn as much as he can in efforts to return the information to his own country. He brings with him a trusted friend and film maker, Azamat (Davitian,) to document his findings. During his travels, Borat falls in love with Baywatch star Pamela Anderson. He decides to travel across the nation, leaving New York, and seek out his new bride in L.A. Along the way, he decides to stop in many US cities, visiting locals and gathering information.

We all remember when the first Jackass film came out. It brought to the American public a new form of shock film. But the problem with the Jackass films is that they seem only to shock for the sake of shock. We watch Jonny Knoxville get gored by a bull and think “Man, that guy is crazy!” But what does it really mean? And why do we like it so much? More to the point: what does Borat offer that most physical comedies don’t?

The answer is American criticism. Several of the first scenes of Borat in New York take place on the subway. Imagine yourself as a visitor from a different country. To greet someone you, shake, and kiss each other’s cheek. This is very common in several European countries. Borat, while greeting several people on the subway, has his life threatened, and is verbally assaulted. We all know that Borat is in no real danger. But what honest message are we receiving when watching such a negative reaction to clashing cultures?

In Texas during an interview, and later during a rodeo, Borat makes several controversial claims in front of a huge audience. “I support your war of terror!” he shouts. The crowd goes wild. “All Iraqis must perish!” Again, the crowd goes wild. Earlier, before his cries for patriotism, he attempts to kiss and hug a man he has interviewed (Rodeo manager.) The manager pulls away, and prances around, making claim that men that do that sort of thing are “fairies.” Borat makes a claim that in Kazakhstan, those types of people would be executed. Unaware that he is on film, the manager smiles, and says “Yeah, in Texas, we’re trying to do the same thing.”

It’s not that we’re a bad country; we’re just not that great when we’re unaware we’re being recorded. Hmm—I wonder if that’s true. This film, though a comedy to the core, seems to present these sorts of questions. Though certain interviews don’t really keep with this line of critique, and only seem to serve as shock film making (interview with New York Feminists) the film still offers an open critique at the candid American populous.

It’s a well made film, with few technical errors. And as my room mate said, “It’s a gut buster.” You have to go in knowing that the film makers are trying to do two things here: shock the hell out of you, and critique all that we’ve become comfortable with. This film does both. If you’re interested in shock film, with a constant smile, a hand over your mouth, and a constant though of “I can’t believe he just did that,” this is the film for you. Keep in mind it’s intelligent, as well as stupid humor. Not all of us are like those he interviewed. But then again, some of us are… 6 of 10.