We support your war of terror

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Borat: Cultural Learnings of America

for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, often referred to simply as Borat, is a 2006 mockumentary comedy film directed by Larry Charles and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was written, produced by, and stars the English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in the title role of a fictitious Kazakh journalist traveling through the United States, recording real-life interactions with Americans.

In his travels across the U.S., Borat arrives at a rodeo in Salem, Virginia. He has plans to sing the national anthem. The rodeo’s producer, Bobby Rowe, helpfully advises Borat to shave his mustache, so as not to be mistaken for a Muslim. When Borat tries to kiss him on the cheek, Rowe tells him never to do that, that people might get the wrong impression that he’s gay. After Borat declares, “We hang homosexuals in my country!” Rowe smirkingly responds: “That’s what we’re trying to do here.”

Before launching into the anthem, Borat shrieks, “We support your war of terror” – to thunderous applause. The crowd’s enthusiasm tapers off as Borat voices his wish that “George W. Bush will drink the blood of every man, woman and child in Iraq.”

Controversy surrounded the film even two years before its release. It was denounced for having a protagonist who is sexist, homophobic, and antisemitic, and, after the film’s release, some cast members spoke against, and even sued, its creators. All Arab countries banned it, and the Russian government discouraged cinemas there from showing it.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was well received by critics. In an article about the changing face of comedy, The Atlantic Monthly said that it “may be the funniest film in a decade”. Michael Medved gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars, calling it “…simultaneously hilarious and cringe-inducing, full of ingenious bits that you’ll want to describe to your friends and then laugh all over again when you do.” Rotten Tomatoes classified it as one of the best-reviewed films of 2006, with an aggregate “Certified fresh” rating of 91%.

American audiences embraced the film, which played to sold-out crowds at many showings on its opening despite having been shown on only 837 screens. Borat debuted at number one on its opening weekend with a total gross of $26.4 million, beating its competitors Flushed Away and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. The film’s opening weekend’s theater average was an estimated $31,511, topping Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest yet behind Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Spider-Man. It retained the top spot in its second weekend after expanding to 2,566 theaters, extending the box office total to $67.8 million.

In the United Kingdom, Borat opened at number one, with an opening weekend gross of £6,242,344 ($11,935,986), the 43rd best opening week earnings in the UK as of March 2007. Since its release, Borat has grossed over $260 million worldwide.