There Will Never Be Another Movie Like Borat

Summary

The video explores the controversial yet acclaimed film 'Borat', highlighting its satirical portrayal of cultural differences and social boundaries. It delves into the career of its creator, Sasha Baron Cohen, and his unique brand of humor that often courts controversy. The script discusses the film's impact, including lawsuits and bans, and Cohen's use of comedy to expose societal prejudices. It also touches on the challenges of maintaining anonymity in the digital age and the risks involved in Cohen's method acting, concluding with a nod to the enduring legacy and cultural significance of 'Borat'.

Takeaways

• 🎬 'Borat' is considered one of the most controversial and successful comedies of the 21st century, pushing the boundaries of humor and satire.
• 🤡 The character Borat, portrayed by British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen, is known for interacting with real people who are unaware of his true intentions, leading to authentic and often cringe-worthy reactions.
• 📚 Sasha Baron Cohen is a well-educated and well-spoken individual, in contrast to the characters he portrays, which are often outrageous and provocative.
• 📽 The film 'Borat' garnered both praise and criticism, with some finding its humor and social commentary insightful, while others felt it crossed ethical lines.
• 🚫 The movie faced legal troubles and controversies, including multiple lawsuits from people who felt misled or exploited by the film's pranks.
• 🌍 The cultural differences between Kazakhstan and the United States are a central theme in 'Borat,' highlighting stereotypes and misconceptions.
• 🔍 Cohen's portrayal of Borat exposes prejudices and biases, using humor to reflect society's flaws and provoke thought about contemporary issues.
• 💡 Despite the controversy, 'Borat' has been recognized as a form of cultural activism, with Cohen using his platform to challenge societal norms and prejudices.
• 📉 After the success of 'Borat,' Cohen experienced a decline in box office performance for his subsequent films, facing criticism and being typecast.
• 🎭 Cohen's commitment to staying in character, even in dangerous situations, demonstrates the lengths he is willing to go for his art and message.
• 🛡️ The legal battles and public scrutiny have not deterred Cohen, who has won or had cases dismissed, showing his preparedness and understanding of the legal implications of his work.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the movie 'Borat'?

The main theme of 'Borat' is cultural satire, using humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize people's prejudices and vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and social issues.

Who is the actor behind the character of Borat?

Sacha Baron Cohen is the British comedian behind the character of Borat, known for his absurd satirical characters and pushing the boundaries of humor.

What was the controversy surrounding the filming location of Borat's hometown in the movie?

The controversy arose because the scenes were not shot in Kazakhstan but in a small village in Romania named Glăj, where the villagers were depicted as barbaric people without their knowledge due to language barriers.

What was the reaction of the real Kazakhstan to the movie 'Borat'?

The Kazakh government banned the movie in 2006 because it depicted Kazakhstan as a backward, misogynistic, and anti-Semitic country, which they found offensive and inaccurate.

How did the character Borat interact with real people in the movie?

Borat interacted with real people by playing a character from Kazakhstan who was unaware that the people he was interacting with were part of a comedy setup, leading to genuine reactions and interactions.

What legal troubles did Sacha Baron Cohen face due to the movie 'Borat'?

Sacha Baron Cohen faced multiple lawsuits from people who appeared in the film, claiming they were misled and exploited, as well as from the villagers of Glăj who felt betrayed by the portrayal of their village.

What was the impact of Borat's character on Sacha Baron Cohen's career?

Borat's character brought Sacha Baron Cohen international fame and recognition, but also made it harder for him to work undercover due to his increased public recognition.

How did the movie 'Borat' use humor to address serious social issues?

The movie used humor to hold a mirror up to society, exposing people's prejudices and biases, and challenging them to confront their own beliefs and attitudes.

What was the significance of the second 'Borat' movie in terms of its release and reception?

The second 'Borat' movie was significant as it was released after a 14-year hiatus and was purchased by Amazon for a high sum, reflecting the continued interest and demand for the character and his satirical approach.

What measures did Sacha Baron Cohen take to maintain secrecy during the filming of the second 'Borat' movie?

To maintain secrecy, Cohen used disguises, conducted tests to determine which disguises were least likely to be recognized, and ensured that all filming was done without revealing his true identity.

How did the character Borat contribute to cultural activism and social commentary?

Borat contributed to cultural activism by using comedy and satire to expose people's prejudices about minorities and other cultures, revealing both the worst and the best in people and encouraging self-reflection.

Outlines

00:00

😄 The Controversial Genius of Borat

This paragraph introduces the character Borat, portrayed by British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen, and the controversy surrounding the film 'Borat.' The movie is noted for its unique blend of humor and social commentary, which involves real people who are unaware they are part of a prank. The paragraph also touches on Cohen's other characters and his talent for satirical humor. The film's impact is highlighted, including its cultural influence and the numerous lawsuits it attracted due to its boundary-pushing content.

05:02

📜 Legal Battles and Cultural Impact of Borat

The second paragraph delves into the legal troubles and cultural impact of the 'Borat' movie. It discusses the various lawsuits filed against Cohen and the producers, including a notable $30 million lawsuit from the villagers of Glăjărie, Romania, who were depicted in the film. The paragraph also addresses the backlash from the real Kazakhstan, which led to the government banning the movie and diplomatic tensions. Cohen's choice of Kazakhstan is explained as a reflection of American ignorance and prejudice, and the paragraph concludes with the societal reactions and the film's role in exposing people's biases.

10:02

🎭 The Risks and Rewards of Borat's Return

This paragraph discusses the return of Borat after a 14-year hiatus with a sequel movie. It outlines the challenges faced by Cohen in maintaining secrecy and the increased difficulty of conducting pranks in the age of social media. The sequel's focus on contemporary issues such as COVID-19, anti-maskers, and political figures is highlighted. The paragraph also details the risks Cohen took, including his own safety, and the legal battles that ensued, particularly with Rudy Giuliani. Despite the controversies, Cohen's commitment to using comedy for social activism is emphasized, along with his success in not losing a single lawsuit.

15:06

🌏 Kazakhstan's Embrace of Borat and Cohen's Legacy

The final paragraph reflects on the lasting impact of Borat on Kazakhstan and Cohen's decision to retire the character. It describes how Kazakhstan turned the negative association with the film into a positive tourism campaign. The paragraph also contemplates the broader implications of Cohen's satirical work, which challenges societal prejudices and biases. The narrative concludes with a humorous advertisement for Surfshark VPN, highlighting the product's ability to bypass restrictions and provide access to global content, including the controversial 'Borat' film.

Keywords

💡Sasha Baron Cohen

Sasha Baron Cohen is a British comedian renowned for his satirical characters. He is the creator of 'Borat,' which is a central theme in the video. His characters often engage in outrageous and politically incorrect behavior to expose societal prejudices and biases. In the script, he is mentioned as the man behind 'Borat,' and his other characters such as Ali G and Bruno are also referenced, showcasing his talent for satire and his impact on pop culture.

💡Borat

Borat is a fictional character created by Sasha Baron Cohen, representing a journalist from Kazakhstan. The character is known for his outrageous and culturally insensitive behavior, which serves as a satirical tool to reveal the prejudices of those he interacts with. The video discusses the controversy and impact of the 'Borat' movie, including the lawsuits it generated and its role as a form of cultural activism.

💡Satire

Satire is a genre of humor that uses irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, especially in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. In the script, 'Borat' is described as a satirical character that pushes the boundaries of humor to reveal societal flaws, making people question the line between comedy and social commentary.

💡Controversy

Controversy refers to a state of prolonged public dispute or debate regarding a matter of opinion. The video script discusses the numerous lawsuits and public backlash faced by 'Borat' due to its provocative content, highlighting the controversy as a key aspect of the film's impact and reception.

💡Cultural Differences

Cultural differences are the distinctions between the customs, traditions, and social norms of different societies. The script uses 'Borat's' exploration of the cultural gap between Kazakhstan and America to satirize stereotypes and to provoke thought about how societies perceive each other.

💡Prank

A prank is a mischievous act intended to cause confusion, embarrassment, or amusement. The script describes how 'Borat' often involves real people who are unaware that they are part of a prank, leading to authentic reactions that contribute to the humor and social commentary of the film.

💡Lawsuit

A lawsuit is a legal action taken against a person or entity. The video mentions that 'Borat' has resulted in numerous lawsuits due to the deceptive nature of the pranks and the portrayal of certain groups, indicating the legal challenges faced by the creators.

💡Political Incorrectness

Political incorrectness refers to the use of language, ideas, or policies that are considered offensive or biased. The script notes that 'Borat' frequently engages in politically incorrect speech to challenge societal norms and to elicit reactions that reveal underlying prejudices.

💡Prejudice

Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. The video discusses how 'Borat' uses humor to expose and critique the prejudices of individuals and society at large, particularly in relation to foreign cultures and minorities.

💡Cultural Activism

Cultural activism involves the use of cultural practices or media to bring about social or political change. The script suggests that 'Borat' has become a form of cultural activism, using comedy and satire to challenge societal prejudices and to promote a more open and honest dialogue about sensitive issues.

💡Undercover

Undercover refers to the act of engaging in activities while concealing one's identity or true purpose. The script describes how Sasha Baron Cohen operates undercover as 'Borat,' interacting with unsuspecting individuals to capture authentic reactions for his satirical commentary.

Highlights

This video is sponsored by Surfshark VPN.

Borat is considered one of the most controversial and best comedies of the 21st century.

Sacha Baron Cohen plays real people who are unaware he's playing a character, often violating social boundaries.

Borat's humor has led to numerous lawsuits and the movie being banned in Kazakhstan.

Cohen's characters, including Borat, are known for asking outrageous questions to unsuspecting people.

Borat's satire exposes the ignorance and prejudice about foreigners.

The movie's depiction of Kazakhstan caused significant controversy and legal actions.

Borat's success turned Cohen into an international star but also led to many legal troubles.

Cohen's satire often reveals people's hidden prejudices.

Despite controversies, Cohen has not lost a single lawsuit related to Borat.

Borat's subsequent movie film continued to push boundaries and expose societal issues.

Cohen's pranks sometimes put his safety at risk.

Borat's satire aims to use humor to expose societal issues and prejudices.

Kazakhstan has recently embraced Borat's fame for tourism promotion.

Cohen's satire often reflects the biases and prejudices present in society.

Transcripts

this video is sponsored by surf shark

VPN B this is borad probably the most  controversial movie made in the 21st century  

but at the same time it's also considered one of  the best comedies he's my neighbor he ising my  

this man mastered the prank far before YouTube  pranks became popular because what makes Borat  

so unique is that it features real people who  have no idea he is playing a character he goes  

extreme far with his humor often violating  social boundaries and Tabo over here our to  

of kindergarten but his jokes went so far that  it resulted in tons of lawsuits in the movie  

getting banned in Kazakhstan great success borad  took satire to a whole new level so I'm going to  

show you why there will never be another movie  like borad this my hor answer please but first  

we need to get a better understanding of The  Man Behind Borat Sasha Baron Cohen what is  

the most popular thing in the world music no  tell me ice cream okay Sasha Baron Cohen is a  

British comedian known for his absurd satirical  characters he rose to fame with the character of  

Ali G a British roadman interviewing people such  as David Beckham Kobe Bryant and Donald Trump he  

later played a whole range of other characters  most famously a flamboyant Austrian fashionista  

named Bruno the cic journalist Borat and general  aladine in the dictator not to mention his most  

underappreciated role King Julian in Madagascar  I like to move it move it by the way he was  

also said to play Freddy Mercury in Bohemian  rap city Frederick Mercury we like him very  

much in Kazakhstan here's a ladies man but he  dropped out after disagreements with the band  

his characters became famous for asking the most  outrageous questions to people who are not aware  

they have been set up are you allowed to date  other members of the team or do you have to wait  

till cu the season is over what you want them to  drink you can't drink D while you're driving it's  

it's against the law what off camera however  Cohen is a very well spoken man with a degree  

in history and rarely appears as his real self  often going to talk shows and public Gatherings  

to pull off pranks have fun this evening this  man literally knows no shame in 2018 he managed  

to get an actual US state representative to do  this go go go go go USA USA mother [ __ ] Cohen  

sprangs have often pushed one to many boundaries  and though he has earned a lot of Praise during  

his career he has also built a track record of  lawsuits and getting into trouble and with Borat  

let's just say things became a bit more than  just a prank I mean at the moment I think I  

have the world record the most sued actor in  history not in the room yet sir hold on this  

is not my room this is the elevator it takes you  to the floor where your room is whoa whoo woo w

King in the castle King in the castle I have a  chair I have a chair boret is a journalist from  

Kazakhstan who travels to the United States in  order to learn about the culture on the surface  

he's just acting like a fool to get reactions  out of Americans by appearing himself as this  

dumb interviewer and explicitly not American  people are willing to buy that he's just from  

a different culture that suit is black not this  suit is not black no no he often makes people  

cringe with his awkward Behavior and the language  barrier creates some genius interactions what do  

you do I have spent years in construction um I  recently retired you are retired uh yes unlike  

hidden camera shows borad pranks his characters in  plain sight because people don't realize they're  

playing in a comedy instead they were told it's  for an official documentary from kazak television  

making all of the interactions real what type  of dog is this this is a B is this a cat in a  

hat a central theme in the movie is the cultural  difference between the supposedly underdeveloped  

Kazakhstan and America us and greatest country  in the world and Borat is simply trying to adapt  

you look like Michael Jackson Beat It Man can  you teach me how to dress how can I be like  

you what's up with it vanilla face throughout the  movie Borat says the most political Incorrect and  

racist stuff you can imagine as if it's nothing  and he makes people believe the craziest things  

often making you wonder how on Earth he got away  with making this movie but just referring to what  

he does as pranking is a bit reductive because  it goes much deeper than that by being himself  

outrageous he puts up a mirror because it quickly  shows just how ridiculous of a country America is  

sometimes guilty of being and so the goal of borad  was not only to make fun of people but also to be  

a social commentary a satire to use humor irony  exagger ation or ridicule to expose and criticize  

people's stupidity or vices particularly in  a context of contemporary politics and other  

topical issues well at least that was the goal  the movie became a great success turning Borat  

into an international star and a highly quitable  fixture of Pop Culture precisely because of its  

black humor and risky pranks but these jokes  didn't land well with everyone borat's success  

got Cohen and the producers in tons of legal  trouble and controversies multiple people who  

appear in the film have filed lawsuits for being  misled and exploited most notably the villagers  

of borat's fictional Hometown who sued Cohen  for $30 million in Damages these scenes were  

not shot in Kazakhstan but in a small village  in Romania named glad whose villagers were  

living in poverty and were being depicted  as these barbaric people but because they  

didn't understand English they didn't know what  was being said about them awn mechanic [Music]

and

the people from The Village felt betrayed and  some were so angry that they wanted to kill

Borat but the real Kazakhstan wasn't too happy  about Borat either in 2006 the kazak government  

banned Borat because the movie depicts Kazakhstan  is this backwards country full of misogynists and  

anti-semitic when Cohen hosted the MTV Awards as  borad this is what happened I pretended that their  

prime minister Premier Naf came on and I got on my  knees and I kissed his and they got so angry that  

their prime minister Premier n actually flew to  Washington to complain to the American president  

so I thought bug of this I'm going to Washington  I would like to make a comment about my nation of  

Kazakhstan but why did Cohen choose Kazakhstan  he told the New York Times the Kazakhstan in  

the film has nothing to do with the real country  I chose Kazakhstan because it was a place that  

almost nobody in the US knew anything about which  allowed us to create a wild comedic fake world  

and it's exactly this ignorance and Prejudice  about foreigners that Cohen is trying to expose  

shave that dad gum mustache off so you're not so  conspicuous so you look like maybe an Italian when  

I think there's a dad gum Muslim wonder what  kind of bomb he's got strapped to him people  

really let down their guard with Borat because  they're with in a room with somebody who seems  

to have these outrageous opinions they sometimes  feel much more relaxed about letting their own  

outrageous Politically Incorrect opinions come out  this was also the case with these fraternity boys  

who tried to sue Cohen and his team for getting  them drunk and tricking them into making racist  

statements are women are women your slaves in  Russia no do you have a slaves here we wish no  

slaves wish it is a shame and B B shame in total  toal Borat accounted for at least seven lawsuits  

placing it among the most sued movies ever during  production the police was called 92 times and  

according to Cohen even the FBI was informed  they had so many complaints that there was a  

middle eastern man driving through America  in an ice cream van that the FBI assigned a  

team to to us Sasha was not a US citizen at the  time so he had to often hide himself because he  

didn't want to get sent back to London he was  able to stay undercover for 1 and A2 year in  

the US it would take about 6 months afterwards  for me not to totally freak out whenever I to  

a policeman but isn't Cohen taking comedy too  far because even though Borat is a satire the  

biggest criticism is that he went beyond any moral  and ethical standards by portraying kazak people  

as misogynistic barbarous and anti-semitic and  so the question is where do you draw the line I  

was blamed for kazakhstan's failure and banned  from ever make reportings again I was publicly

humiliated borat's success was both a gift and  a curse it caused Cohen to be spotted in public  

no matter what character he played making it  harder and harder to make such a film again he  

said I realized that if I became famous myself  it would make my work almost impossible I was  

scared of becoming famous for a few years no one  actually knew what I looked like so basically um  

I was able to have the success without any of  the can I call it hassle after Borat grossed  

over 250 million back in 2006 Sasha Baron Cohen  saw a decline in the performance of every film  

afterwards the dictator did 180 million Bruno did  140 million but by 2016 Grimsby lost $7 million  

and critics were stating that Baron Cohen is a  one-trick pony in 2016 Cohen said that Hollywood  

would be too scared to make Bor today explaining  that the incredibly crude humor which made the  

movie so successful was better suited to when  the film was first released between 2006 and  

2020 he took long breaks from acting and played  characters with heavy makeup in order to be less  

recognizable but after a 14-year Hiatus boret  came back with the movie borat's subsequent  

movie film delivery of prodigious bribe to make  American great benefit one's glorious nation of  

Kazakhstan which was purchased by Amazon for a  whopping $80 million people make recognize my face  

I would need disguises and as if the controversy  wasn't enough this time Cohen decided to go all  

out we see him return to the US with his daughter  tutar to take on The Rona anti-maskers conspiracy  

theorists and Trump supporters even going so far  to exposing us politicians who were trying to get  

an affair with his daughter Asen said you don't  just want to interview some dorant at a hotel  

you want to interview the incredibly wealthy  guests at a penthouse high ranking politicians  

or people who are threatening the problem is  it is definitely challenging especially now  

with Twitter and Facebook it's very very hard  to get away with this meant that everything  

had to be done in complete secrecy how could I  make another Undercover movie the way to do it  

was Borat goes in Disguise found that after doing  a lot of tests if I was Ginger people were less  

likely to realize it was me but it was also for  this movie that Cohen really went too far even  

putting his own safety in danger at one point  he had the fear for his life at a gun rights  

rally if it feels like it's going to get violent  then I you can't the the worst thing you can do  

is crack and then realize that you're playing  a character you go hey I just want to mock you  

and expose your racism then you're really in  trouble by not breaking character he is able  

to get away with it most of the time but if he  does things can get really dangerous it happens  

occasionally I mean this was the first movie  where I've had to wear a bulletproof vest your  

hand what are we going to do with the Ral  left going to chop them up like the [Music]

s let go go

go we Lo the doors are

[Music] locked hold

it

drive go come come come one of the guys who  stormed the stage uh went for his pistol  

there was a very brave God who actually grabbed  his hand and said leaned in and said it's not  

worth it buddy Cohen also famously exposed Donald  Trump's attorney and former New York city mayor  

Rudy juliani who was being filmed putting his  hands down his pants while alone in a hotel room  

with borat's daughter naughty naughty juliani sued  Cohen for $95 million but Cohen recently won the  

lawsuit after years of doing such controversial  stunts Cohen has not lost a single lawsuit many  

of the cases were either won by Cohen or thrown  out such as the one for the village of gla of of  

course Cohen has his paperworks right and knows  what he is doing but another big reason is that  

despite his pranks he is being taken seriously  Borat has become a form of cultural activism and  

because Sasha Baron Cohen is Jewish himself he  is using comedy and satire to expose people's  

prejudices about these minorities and other  cultures revealing both the worst but also the  

best in people for Bor 2 he raised 150,000 us to  help genuine people who have become victim of his  

pranks and donated another 100,000 to the church  as one entertainment lawyer said the truth is if  

he's been sued that many times in one that means  someone is getting something right the second Bor  

at movie was nominated for an Oscar and became  the longest movie name ever to be nominated after  

being chased nearly rested multiple times followed  by the FBI and sued during his film making process  

the question remains is it still worth it Sasha  Baron Cohen stated that he has permanently retired  

from playing Borat because eventually his luck  will run out yeah I don't know if I'm traumatized  

but I definitely don't want to go out and shoot  another one of these movies ever again they're too  

hard as you can see it's worth a word just to say  How brave Coen is because not many comedians are  

interested in attacking the most painful issues  of our society Borat kind of LED his career into  

a downward spiral and Hollywood rarely cast him  anymore because of his immediate association with  

Borat and I think there are very few comedians  who could play the parts he does with a straight  

face or without losing their nerve you killed it  man can amazing I love that movie so much I love  

you I love your approach to uncomfortable people  and subjects you just lay bare the people who are  

supposed to be in control and aren't and I love it  borat's success has shown that the population is  

hungry for a more liberated and surprisingly more  meaningful humor than offered by the politically  

correct mainstream media and so with boret Cohen  has proven that comedy can be the most dangerous  

but also be the purest form of truth it's why fake  News outperforms Real News because studies show  

that lies spread faster than truth but in the case  of Borat many people are often collateral damages  

of his jokes and perhaps he is even adding fuel  to the fire sometimes Kazakhstan will inevitably  

be linked to Borat but they recently decided to  embrace this and turn it into something positive  

Kazakhstan launched a tourism campaign centered  around borat's Fair ni sketch phrase to showcase  

the beauty of the country by making Borat Sasha  Baron Cohen used caricatures and lies as a vehicle  

to reveal something that is far more dangerous  and often forgotten about in our society telling  

the truth when I was in that scene and I stared  down and saw your two wrinkled Golden Globes on my

chin I thought to myself I'd  better win a bloody award for

this while some might remain angry about Borat  others might look at it and smile realizing that  

the satire is aimed at themselves and that  most of us if you want it or not are a bit  

biased and have our own prejudices that's  why Sasha Baron Cohen is an example that it  

takes a true genius to play a believable fool but  before we sign off there's one more thing left to

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