Sacha Baron Cohen: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked
2. Borat Sagdiyev - Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan (2006)
Even though it was released in 2006, a whole freaking decade ago, its not uncommon to hear people quoting from Kazakhstans most famous (fake) reporter Borat Sagdiyev. Presented as a mockumentary that provided slapstick hilarity while also shining a light on the racial tensions which are still evident within US society, Baron Cohen managed to draw out brilliant responses from the unsuspecting public by being both endearingly disarming and unbelievably inappropriate. The success of Borat was definitely helped by the fact that it was, and remains Baron Cohens most controversial film to date. Responses ranged from lawsuits filed by those who were shown onscreen to Kazakhstan blacklisting the film due to its portrayal of their country (although they later rescinded this stance when visa applications increased by ten times). From the very first Jagshemash! it was impossible to turn away from Borat. The sheer insanity of proceedings ensures that there isnt a single moment of downtime in its 84 minutes in which Baron Cohen almost incites a riot at a rodeo, gets an entire bar to sing along to a shockingly anti-Semitic country song and wrestles naked with his obese producer through a crowded hotel. It would all be a messy series of random occurrences if not for the empathy Baron Cohen invokes for Borat. Despite his unfathomable ignorance, you cant help but root for the moustachioed journalist.
A pop culture mad writer from the North East who loves films, television and debating them with whoever will listen.
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