The film Borat acts as both a safety valve and also as a challenge to the rules of society; especially to the rules of American society. For instance, the character Borat throughout the movie does things that are not normal conventions of America. When he first arrives, he tries introducing himself to all of the people on the subway by saying his name and kissing them. Obviously, this goes against societal norms as most people do not talk to each other while using public transportation and typically men do not kiss other men to greet one another in America. The film is not trying to make Americans change their greeting from what it typical to kissing but it might be try to make people friendlier. Most of the people he tries to kiss begin to yell and scream; some even threaten him. The movie is full of little safety valves that just let off steam and most of the time they are not looking to make a change to society.
On the other hand the film seems to be attacking how Americans think; in particular their perception of Middle Eastern countries. When Borat sings that “Kazakhstan National Anthem” everyone obviously reacts badly. However, they react that way because they think it really is the National Anthem. Even though the song declares that Kazakhstan has the “number two cleanest prostitutes”. Clearly the movie makes fun of how Americans do not think highly of the people from that region of the world. No country would have the content that this so called National Anthem had. As well when he goes on shows and meets people he acts ridiculously dimwitted. All of the people act like it must just be normal for a person from one of those countries to act this way. When he goes back to Kazakhstan and implements what he learned from America, he says that they are all Christians now; of course they are still killing Jewish people. Really nothing changes from what he learned in America. This might be a hint at how America thinks they are a far superior country but in reality they have a lot to work on.
No comments:
Post a Comment