Russia Bans 'Borat' for Make Poor Joke

While 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' is making waves and millions of dollars both in the United Kingdom and in the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan are not that into Sascha Baron Cohen's joke. At least, that's what the state authorities are saying.

Thus, 'Borat' became the first foreign film to get a ban in Russia after the collapse of Communism, although the authorities did say that it was not an official ban, but more of a 'recommendation'. It was announced that the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography would not recommend the movie for a license of distribution, which means, in other words, that it will go straight to a DVD release.

'The distributor asked us informally to look at the film and to give our opinion about whether it would be licensed. Our view was that the material could be offensive to various nationalities and religions. We advised them not to apply, but it is only a recommendation at the present. It is up to them whether to apply formally for a license or not', a spokesperson for the Agency said.

However, no other distribution company saw it fit to handle such a 'hot' comedy as 'Borat' is and the release that was initially scheduled for November 30th in almost 300 theaters will be skipped. The same attitude towards the controversial comedy was also taken in Kazakhstan, Borat's native-country. 'We don't seen an audience for it', an official stated, adding that they see nothing to be lost by not running it.

In addition to that, the authorities said that they consider the portrayal of Kazakhstan as a country where people's favorite past time is rape, incest and 'running the Jews' and where the national drink is made of fermented animal urine as highly offensive and disrespectful. While the controversy and the scandal rage on, people in the US seem to positively love Baron Cohen's latest creation.