Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, commonly shortened to Borat, is a mockumentary comedy film directed by Larry Charles. Distributed by 20th Century Fox, it was released in North America on November 3, 2006. The film was banned in some countries due to its crude content and was boycotted by Kazakhstan.
Censorship[]
The film was banned in all Arab countries except Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, the latter of which was released heavily cut there.[1][2] Dubai's censor, Yousuf Abdul Hamid, described the film as "vile, gross and extremely ridiculous", and that if all of the offensive scenes were excised, there would be about thirty minutes left.
In 2005, prior to the film's release and following Borat's appearance at the MTV Movie Awards, Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry threatened to sue actor Sacha Baron Cohen, and Borat's Kazakh-based website, www.borat.kz, was taken down. This censorship was slammed by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).[3] As a result, Borat was never shown in theaters in Kazakhstan.
For the film's US television premiere on USA Network in June 2009, the film is presented largely uncut. The infamous nude wrestling and chase between Borat and Azamat is censored with black bars, but sexual expletives like the F-word are silenced, and a label reading "CENZURAT" appears over mouths (and, where necessary, subtitles) in order to try to further hide which terms are being used.
Where to find it uncensored[]
Every other country has it available uncensored, and the video releases are uncensored.
References[]
- ↑ Ali, Jaafar (30 November 2006). "'Borat' gross-outs fall flat in Mideast". Variety.
- ↑ "Arab countries ban Borat". Guardian Unlimited Film (London). 1 December 2006.
- ↑ Media Watchdog Slams Kazakhstan For Censoring ‘Borat’