Sacha Baron Cohen was nominated for two Golden Globes and was the favourite to win the best comedy actor award.
Although the film took Britain and the USA by storm, it stirred up considerable controversy and protest. Several US Groups had difficulty understanding Baron Cohen’s particular brand of British satirical humour and he received a number of threats in advance of the Golden Globe ceremony. The studio responsible for his film were obliged to hire armed minders to guard him and his fiancée Isla Fisher.
During his speech the comedian formerly known as Ali G, recalled the part of the film where he has a naked wrestling match with his co-star Ken Davitian.
"I saw some amazing, beautiful, invigorating parts of America, but I saw some dark parts of America, an ugly side of America, a side of America that rarely sees the light of day. I refer of course to my co-star, Ken Davitian."
Baron Cohen thanked Davitian and his fiancée and also “ every American alive who has not sued me so far."
Several law suits have been filed since the film was released.
As well as the US$ 30 Million law suit filed against 20th Century Fox by the residents of a Romanian village used in the movie two South Carolina college students took action. They were claiming damages after appearing in the movie making racist remarks and demeaning women and minorities. They claim that they were told the movie would not be shown in the USA.
The good people of Kazakhstan were also less than pleased with "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit of Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," Baron Cohen’s portrayal of them as a backward, sexist and racist people whose national drink was fermented horse urine did not go down well. But there can be no doubt that the success of the movie has brought about an increase in tourism to Kazakhstan.
People who had never heard of the Kazakhstan before are researching it on sites like Suite 101 and deciding to travel there on holiday. Kazakhstan has opened a new Consulate in Scotland making tourist and business visas easier to obtain.
Hugh Taylor - Once upon a time I was an accountant, a very bored accountant, who lived for weekends and holidays. To relieve the tedium I started ...
