borat - Gawker

posts about #borat more →
Bruno's First Big Lawsuit Dropping Assault And Battery Claims
Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
The Only Thing Missing is a Reference to Gypsy Tears
Sacha Baron Cohen Apparently Unaware of Dutch 'Borat' Spin-Off Premiering Next Week
'Borat' Director to Put an End to Religion
Meet Abu Dhabi's $1 Billion Media Man: 'We Won’t Be Making 'Borat 2''

Isla Fisher Chooses Stardom Over Judaism, But All The Other Converted Actresses? Some Fine Lookin' Jews
Bruno Wondering How And Why A Delicious Chickpea Spread Would Call For The Annihilation Of Israel
'Bruno', Universal's $42 Mil Gay-Austrian Gamble, Gets His Release Date

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yourfriendandneighbor
07/13/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
I saw this movie today. It really is not funny.
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Edited by yourfriendandneighbor at 07/13/09 12:54 AM

BxgrlJeri
07/11/09

In reply to Bruno's First Big Lawsuit Dropping Assault And Battery Claims
If you can't cry and run without seriously injuring yourself, I have to question the authenticity of your girl parts.
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seanlaughlin
07/11/09

In reply to Bruno's First Big Lawsuit Dropping Assault And Battery Claims
Isn't there an old Hollywood saying, that no publicity is bad publicity?

There is also one that says "cover your own ass".

I'm sure Mr. Baron Cohen knows both of these saying very well...
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bangers
07/11/09

@seanlaughlin: though Bruno never covers his ass in press photos
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thatgirlinnewyork
07/11/09

In reply to Bruno's First Big Lawsuit Dropping Assault And Battery Claims
please. these people dream of the day they're on camera, else they would refuse participating in such things. if context is anything, usually these "victims" are fairly ignorant, loathsome people long before particpating in the film. these litigants are simply reading the box office numbers and looking to get a piece of it. sadly, EVERYone who puts work (including those who build park benches) needs "legal shields" these days. our crazy, suit-happy culture requires it.
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iplaudius
07/11/09

In reply to Bruno's First Big Lawsuit Dropping Assault And Battery Claims
Perhaps, in so far as such notions as fate and karma and hamartia are concerned, Mr. Baron Cohen’s victims deserve a measure of pain and embarrassment for not being savvy enough to recognize the well worn costumes of this clown—or for not being acute enough to recognize that they are being taken for a ride. Not fair, I know, but ignorance is sometimes not bliss.
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Edited by iplaudius at 07/11/09 3:15 PM iplaudius was starred iplaudius was unstarred

katekate is squared
07/11/09

@iplaudius: My question is, don't they all have to sign releases so that they can be included in the movie? How does it work that people don't figure shit out immediately after the fact? I assume someone can't misrepresent what they are asking someone to sign a release for.
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Dürer's Rhino
07/12/09

@katekate is squared: I haven't seen Bruno, but the Borat premise was that they were filming a documentary about American culture to take back to Kazakhistan (?sp?). The people filmed did sign waivers. It must have been an exceedingly well written and, I daresay, fairly forthcoming document that the signers just didn't read very well. I make that assumption because of all the ruckus, threats, and actual suits filed after Borat, nothing stuck.

With all that said, I have no idea how Bruno was approached but it was probably a similar scenario.
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Edited by Dürer's Rhino at 07/12/09 5:38 PM Dürer's Rhino was starred Dürer's Rhino was unstarred

Foster Kamer
07/11/09

In reply to Bruno's First Big Lawsuit Dropping Assault And Battery Claims
Has anybody seen the scene in question, by the way? What's it like?
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Charax
07/11/09

@Foster Kamer: I heard it was cut, I hope not though.
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Lincolnsbeard33
07/11/09

@Foster Kamer: I don't remember that scene. I assume it was cut.
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Foster Kamer
07/11/09

@Lincolnsbeard33: I wasn't sure. Thank you!
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RollsRoyceRevenge
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
What lesson are we learning, Richard? That some people hate gays? I think everyone knows that. That gay men are effete, mincing and highly obnoxious or one-track-mind sexual predators? Some are, some aren't. But I don't think this film is a credible critique or exploration of those who are.

I am trying to think of a publicly gay actor/actress who made an entire film about how straight people are over the top. Maybe Anne Heche in that thing with Harrison Ford in it where they crash on a tropical island and she runs around the beach in spike heels.
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HiredGoons
07/10/09

@RollsRoyceRevenge: Sigourney Weaver in, well... everything.
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Niko Bellic
07/10/09

@RollsRoyceRevenge:
I am not sure if it's done well (I haven't seen the film), but I think that the point is to bring out the homophobia in people who may not be willing to openly admit it. To show an ugly look into the mirror to those who say "I have nothing against the gays", while in fact they very much do.

This is different than merely informing us that such people exist. It's to inform them on who they really are.

It's like that lesson for kids when you bring in a clown with a red nose, and then make kids feel ashamed for laughing at a person who has a red nose: it's ok to have a red nose, it's ok to be gay, it's ok to be a flameball, and only those who laugh at others for who they are are the ones who should be made fun of for how they behave towards others.
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ShanghaiLil
07/10/09

@RollsRoyceRevenge: And what lesson did we learn from Transformers? That machines are secret giant robots that can destroy the earth if they so choose? Jesus, why must everything be a "teaching moment?"

But if I were my Cuisinart, I'd be pretty pissed right now.
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RollsRoyceRevenge
07/10/09

@Niko Bellic: There's a little problem with an otherwise fine thesis--I'm gay and people who act like Bruno, not that there are many, drive me up the wall. Sometimes annoying behavior really is annoying behavior.
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RollsRoyceRevenge
07/10/09

@ShanghaiLil: I was referring to Richard's last line. I personally don't think that everything has to be a teaching experience. And I don't think Bruno is a teaching experience.
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ChillbearLatrigue
07/10/09

@Niko Bellic: I did get to see it today. I was pleased that the target definitely appeared to be homophobes. Yes, there was a lot of outrageous, flamboyantly gay behavior, but it was generally used to expose the irrational hatred of the people who are watching it. "Homosexuality is not synonymous with perversion, but even when "perverted" homosexual acts being performed how exactly does it really affect you," seems to be a lesson that we could take away from the film. Other than the social commentary, the movie was hilarious.
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Edited by ChillbearLatrigue at 07/10/09 7:24 PM ChillbearLatrigue was starred

BBooms
07/10/09

@ChillbearLatrigue: I saw it today, and, while I laughed during the movie, I thought it noticeably failed in ways Borat didn't. The problem was that a significant number of the scenes didn't expose homophobia in his targets (and getting his targets to act as inappropriately as his own character is where the best humor comes from). The unsuspecting people he picked actually handled themselves very well for the most part. He would act incredibly inappropriately unprovoked, and people simply chose not to engage -- they weren't riled up by any homophobic impulses. This obviously wasn't the case in every scene, but it was in a lot of them.

Overall, I think the most questionable actions were SBC's. The shock humor of the shit that he pulled was funny, but the bottom line is that this was a straight white guy caricaturing a minority and a minority culture (and often the easiest parts of it). What would the response be if he was caricaturing a socially incompetent Asian guy who drove terribly and had funny sex b/c of his stereotypically small dick?
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Edited by BBooms at 07/10/09 11:12 PM BBooms was starred BBooms was unstarred

1.1.1.
07/11/09

@Niko Bellic: @RollsRoyceRevenge:

"To show an ugly look into the mirror to those who say "I have nothing against the gays", while in fact they very much do. "

Somehow I doubt that they are unaware of their homophobia.

Like Borat, it sounds like a purported exercise in exposing bigotry while stoking it at the same time. Either way, it's butts on seats.
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Edited by 1.1.1. at 07/11/09 2:14 AM 1.1.1. was starred 1.1.1. was unstarred

anyonecanwhistle
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
There was an Ali G movie first, but I guess that was just... testing the waters. I've never thought about the sequence of these roles, but you're probably right, Borat had to go first. Must be all the old-fashioned testosterone, still (surprise!) ruling the world.
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DorothyMantooth
07/10/09

@anyonecanwhistle: Pretty sure Indahouse was never released in the US (though it's been all over cable since the success of Borat), so it wasn't much of a "test," I don't think. Also? Indahouse is fucking charming, and I highly recommend it for a 4:20-friendly Saturday afternoon.
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Lincolnsbeard33
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Just saw it and it is ok. Most of it feels fake and set up. However the swingers party was pretty funny. Still no where near as good as borat.
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TedSez
07/10/09

@Lincolnsbeard33: Thanks for the concise early review! Now we can wait for the DVD.
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m4ximusprim3
07/11/09

@Lincolnsbeard33: Yes, but what did it teach you about yourself? Eh? Eh?
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Awesome X
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Oh, America got over homophobia with Franck from the "Father of the Bride" remake. You know, with the "chipper chicken" and the 'caaack." Right? No?
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Edited by Awesome X at 07/10/09 5:11 PM Awesome X was starred Awesome X was unstarred

HiredGoons
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
I am already so sick of this movie. Sometimes extensive pre-rolls can actually be a movie-killer.
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T-RO
07/10/09

@HiredGoons: I also agree, that because of Borat's success, we were seeing so much of the Bruno footage as he was filming it ("He crashes Paris fashion week,") that many of the gags are already known. The other thing is that, I think how people are going to react to a character they think is flaming gay is more predictable, than how they might react to a weird guy with personal space issues from a country they've never heard of, which means Bruno's going to be more predictable by default. (Yeah, the gay guy is gonna talk about anal sex in front of the obvious redneck, and the redneck's gonna get all crazy about it. And, point being?)

Still, I hope I laugh. Need to laugh.
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MrInBetween
07/10/09

In reply to Would Brüno Be Possible Without Borat?
Borat appeals to the Archie Bunkers but Bruno appeals to the Stanley Ropers. Fewer Stanleys than Archies.
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Edited by MrInBetween at 07/10/09 5:11 PM MrInBetween was starred MrInBetween was unstarred

Baroness
07/10/09

@MrInBetween: And then there's Maude. "I don't care if he's gay! And I'd have a hundred abortions to stop this war in Vietnam!"
-a wag at the AV Club
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ShanghaiLil
07/10/09

@Baroness: I love you for remembering that quote.
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Baroness
07/10/09

@ShanghaiLil: It was fucking memorable! And v funny.
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Mike Byhoff
07/06/09

In reply to The Only Thing Missing is a Reference to Gypsy Tears
Thank you for posting my stupid shit. I can always rely on you, CB.

swoooooon
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Foster Kamer
07/07/09

@Mikey-B: Yeah, fuckin' A, Mike. Think of the peace.
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Wendy_Kroy
07/06/09

In reply to The Only Thing Missing is a Reference to Gypsy Tears
Next up: Bruno translating Arnold Schwarzenegger's "State of the State" address.
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Carol Gardens
07/06/09

In reply to The Only Thing Missing is a Reference to Gypsy Tears
I can't believe you posted this. I was thinking the exact same thing this morning and wishing that I was an official Gawker writer so that I could start a thread about it. Thanks, CB!
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The Cajun Boy
07/06/09

@Carol Gardens: Well, thanks Mikey-B for putting it together for me.
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