Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is the subsequent moviefilm to Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2006 mockumentary Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
With fourteen years having past and a whole lot added to the history books since the original film, Borat’s return might seem like a throw back to a simpler time. In fact, the whole act feels like a relic from an age long before our own. Oddly, though, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. With perhaps the most pivotal US election in modern history on the horizon, Baron Cohen takes aim at state-side conservativism and unleashes a payload of shocking hilarity.
It makes for difficult viewing at times – both because of the controversial nature of the Borat character (whose racist and sexist leanings are now even more divisive than they were in 2006) and the gruesome personalities he targets. But it exposes and ridicules some of the worst facets of American culture and is one of the most reflective films of recent years.
Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen) is a disgraced Kazakh journalist who, after the first Borat, has been imprisoned in a gulag for humiliating the nation. After fourteen long years and looking like Pierce Brosnan at the start of Die Another Day, he is released and tasked with taking the nation’s Minister of Culture, Johnny the Monkey, as a gift to President Donald Trump. Unfortunately for Borat, he can’t get close to Trump after sh*tting outside the front of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in the first film (which is even funnier in hindsight). Instead, he resorts to giving Johnny to the Veep, Mike Pence. To Borat’s surprise, his estranged 15-year-old daughter, Tutar (Maria Bakalova – actually 24), smuggles herself in Johnny’s crate and eats him. Faced with no choice, Borat decides to give her as a bride to Pence.
If there was any doubt as to the enduring hilarity of Borat, the opening quells it quickly and immediately justifies this second outing. The fictional back story of the film can, at times, feel at odds with the real cultural issues it exposes. But it’s necessary to give context to these exposés. Luckily, it’s funny throughout, and the relationship between Borat and Tutar is surprisingly heart-warming by the end.
Where the movie really shines is in the dark trenches of American culture. How Baron Cohen sets up these charged conversations is nothing short of genius, especially when you consider the inexplicable ridiculousness of the Borat character and the terrible disguises he dons to avoid being recognised.
You’d think asking a shopkeeper how many young girls he could fit in a particular cage would draw some questions – it doesn’t. You’d think asking that same shopkeeper how many gypsies could be killed with a gas cannister would be met with a raised eyebrow – but it’s not. Why these people smile, nod, and agree is a question you’re constantly asking throughout the film. Ultimately though, there’s no trick of editing that can justify a pastor’s reluctance to condemn an incestuous pregnancy between Borat and Tutar. And there’s no explanation other than wilful indifference and bigotry that explains why a baker would write “Jews will not replace us” on a cake at Borat’s request.
Of course, these gags with ‘ordinary’ people are funny, disgusting, and insightful – but the real prize is in the final scene with former New York Mayor and Trump attorney, Rudy Giuliani. Considering all the accusations of sexual impropriety surrounding Trump and his cohorts, watching Giuliani reach down his trousers in the presence of Tutar is incredibly disturbing yet unsurprising, especially in a post #MeToo world. The tension is broken, and hilarity ensues when Borat saves the day proclaiming “She 15… Take my anus!”, but for Giuliani, it’s too late.
For a sequel 14-years later, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is astoundingly contemporary. It’s almost bang up-to-the-minute – the scene with Mike Pence even features him announcing 15 coronavirus cases – and this timing enables Cohen to capture a clear glimpse of the conspiracy-laden world in which we now live. If this film had been released even one year ago, it would have been lesser for it.
For all its astute commentary and sharp wit, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, does have its problems. The portrayals of Kazakhstan and its people, for example, are overtly negative and stereotypical. There’s also a problematic scene in which Borat enters a synagogue dressed as a ridiculous Jewish stereotype only to be confronted by two elderly holocaust survivors. It’s difficult to watch – and is one many will miss the point of, especially younger viewers.
Despite these issues, the film resoundingly succeeds in its mission to highlight the dark corners of American culture in the year 2020. Though, its ham-fisted closing scene of cliched Trump supporters pretending to spread COVID-19 and killing an effigy of Anthony Fauci definitely contrasts with its cleverer moments. Will Borat and its final message of “VOTE” convince anyone to switch sides? It seems doubtful. But as a satirical look at modern-day America, it’s unquestionably funny. And I’m sure we’ll be hearing Borat catchphrases everywhere for months to come.
Overall rating: 8/10
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Featured Image Credit: Amazon
