Despite having the US theatrical distribution of “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorius Nation of Kazakhstan”, slashed considerably, creator/lead actor Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G) must be revelling in the film’s outstanding box office for its opening weekend – a whopping $26.4m.
“Borat”, directed by Larry Charles, outplayed “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” with Tim Allen and DreamWorks Animation’s “Flushed Away.” The film shows fictional Kazak journalist Borat reporting on the United States and becoming more interested in locating and marrying Pamela Anderson.
Borat’s US distribution cut may have been influenced by Cohen’s publicity shenanigans (in the guise of Borat) during the real-life Kazak Prime Minister’s visit to the White House. Surprisingly, these were not well received by either the Prime Minister or the White House. Distributing studio Fox cut the number of releasing cinemas down to 837, believing the film had low awareness among US movie-watchers.
The film’s humour has been described as “low brow” and “bitingly satirical”. One report guarantees that there will be something in the film to offend almost everyone, which won’t surprise anyone who has watched Cohen’s Ali G and Borat TV shows. (Sources: imdb’s Studio Briefing and hollywoodreporter.com)
