Borat - A Slight Return
Well, I guess there’s either not a lot of people who read this blog/journal thing or else not many people want to hear a bout Borat anymore. Can’t say as I blame them. I mean, you hear one toilet joke you’ve heard ‘em all.
I’ve been looking into this. A lot people who I expected better things from have come out in favor of the B Movie. (That’s what I‘ll call Borat – it seems to fit…) I spent a while digging around out there in Google Land – and there’s quite a bit of good critique, so I’m not alone after all. And I’ve watched a few of the You Tube pieces – Borat and Ali G. You know the ones – Pat Robertson, Northern Ireland, sitting around with the scientists, learning to play football. I think he’s lazy. If nothing much interesting happens right away the shit and porn jokes kick in. That stuff hasn’t been funny since I was in junior high school. It not original, it’s not insightful, it’s not clever, and it’s boring. Boring. Is that where “Borat” comes from?
But back to the main subjects from last time. 1. Exploiting the Romanians. 2. Impersonating a Kazak, with all the anti-Islamic and Russo-bashing that it may entail. I’ve noticed that most people don’t answer those questions, they ignore them. So once again:
1. Is it okay to trick poor people? Put words in their mouths, stories around their lives, turn them into rapists, abortionists, and prostitutes? Would you do that in Appalachia? Would you do that to people who live close enough to matter? Would you do that to people who have enough political clout to fight back? How about going into Dignity Village in Portland? Or Tent City? Would that be okay?
2. Is it okay to impersonate a drunken Indian? To put on face paint and feathers and dance around with a bottle of fortified wine in your hand? Would you tell me that it was a tool to expose racism and that you chose that nationality because it was obscure? And when somebody from that nationality got mad at you would you say that they don’t have a sense of humor?
Would you expect me to swallow all this?
Okay… My buddy Tim says, “Anyone who can get people to mime horns and ‘chant throw the Jew down the well’ while in character as something as absurd as Borat is a fucking genius.” Really? A genius for that? Anybody could do that, and what did you learn that you didn’t already know? That some people are racists? Duh. Isn’t it just a tool to make you feel a better about yourself because at least you’re not as stupid as those people? Is this all we settle for? Is this the best we can expect? How sad.
Personally I can’t keep my attention on fecal humor and porn jokes for very long. They repeat, there’s not much there. And I feel insulted that I was considered to be worth only that much. And I am amazed that so many people think it’s deep. It’s not. Unless you mean deep pockets, because that’s what this is all about. Money, and lots of it.
I think we deserve better than a B Movie and I think we’ll get it. It’ll take some work but I’m willing to wait.
I’ve been looking into this. A lot people who I expected better things from have come out in favor of the B Movie. (That’s what I‘ll call Borat – it seems to fit…) I spent a while digging around out there in Google Land – and there’s quite a bit of good critique, so I’m not alone after all. And I’ve watched a few of the You Tube pieces – Borat and Ali G. You know the ones – Pat Robertson, Northern Ireland, sitting around with the scientists, learning to play football. I think he’s lazy. If nothing much interesting happens right away the shit and porn jokes kick in. That stuff hasn’t been funny since I was in junior high school. It not original, it’s not insightful, it’s not clever, and it’s boring. Boring. Is that where “Borat” comes from?
But back to the main subjects from last time. 1. Exploiting the Romanians. 2. Impersonating a Kazak, with all the anti-Islamic and Russo-bashing that it may entail. I’ve noticed that most people don’t answer those questions, they ignore them. So once again:
1. Is it okay to trick poor people? Put words in their mouths, stories around their lives, turn them into rapists, abortionists, and prostitutes? Would you do that in Appalachia? Would you do that to people who live close enough to matter? Would you do that to people who have enough political clout to fight back? How about going into Dignity Village in Portland? Or Tent City? Would that be okay?
2. Is it okay to impersonate a drunken Indian? To put on face paint and feathers and dance around with a bottle of fortified wine in your hand? Would you tell me that it was a tool to expose racism and that you chose that nationality because it was obscure? And when somebody from that nationality got mad at you would you say that they don’t have a sense of humor?
Would you expect me to swallow all this?
Okay… My buddy Tim says, “Anyone who can get people to mime horns and ‘chant throw the Jew down the well’ while in character as something as absurd as Borat is a fucking genius.” Really? A genius for that? Anybody could do that, and what did you learn that you didn’t already know? That some people are racists? Duh. Isn’t it just a tool to make you feel a better about yourself because at least you’re not as stupid as those people? Is this all we settle for? Is this the best we can expect? How sad.
Personally I can’t keep my attention on fecal humor and porn jokes for very long. They repeat, there’s not much there. And I feel insulted that I was considered to be worth only that much. And I am amazed that so many people think it’s deep. It’s not. Unless you mean deep pockets, because that’s what this is all about. Money, and lots of it.
I think we deserve better than a B Movie and I think we’ll get it. It’ll take some work but I’m willing to wait.
posted by Jim Page at 10:30 AM
5 Comments:
i was shocked more folks didn't condemn the film, exactly for reasons you describe. blah - it's just another indicator of a sad side of these days
Jim: OTOH they now have all they wanted from you - the money you paid for the ticket.
And the sad thing is, that even negative critiques make people want to see the movie. ("if it's really THAT bad, then I have to watch it myself")
Hi Jim - I am re-located from Seattle (1999) to Cleveland due to complications that may very well have been within my control, but nonetheless, here I am and my friend Nelson reminded me tonight that your coming out this way so I stopped into your blog here and I must say that although I gennerally did not like Borat really at all, and that I think your right on the money with your critic, I did think that the naked wrestling scene was so over the top that I coudn't help but be amused! Anyhow, hope youwill check my blog and drop me a line, thanks man!! Oh, I really like the preview clips of your album head full of pics. on the CD baby!!!!
I dunno. The rodeo prank, The TV interview, his lessons in becoming more like an urban black, the pratfalls that wiped out half the stock of a confederacy souvenir shop, the nude wrestling scene, the southern dinner party, the attempted abduction of what's her face. It's Andy Kaufman squared. Some of the ballsiest comedy I've ever seen. I was in awe of the guy.
Boring? I don't think so.
Sure, he makes fun of impoverished backwater eastern europeans, but it's playing on the absurdity of a stereotype. You might as well beat up on Matt Groening for Cletus the Slack-jawed Yokel.
"Most folks will never eat a squirrel,
But then again some folk'll,
Cletus the Slack-Jawed Yokel."
One of my favorite rhymes ever.
I still say you need to lighten up.
Scatalogical humor has a long distinguished history. Borat's preoccupation with his "anoos" was pretty amusing to me.
And yes, when racists get drawn out into making themselves ridiculous because they think they're in safe company, that's good stuff.
But then, I'm drawn to extremism. Which is also why I like you. Ironic, isn't it?
Hey Tim... I'll bet you 50 bucks that he's a zionist and that he would never trick Michael Medved into saying what he really thinks about Arabs...
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