The country of Kazakhstan isn't happy. Last year they launched a campaign against the Sacha Baron Cohen character Borat, threatening legal action if he didn't stop portraying their country as a haven of gypsy bashers, Jew killers, and cousin killers. In a video released on his official site, Borat responded by saying he supports his government's decision to "sue this Jew". He then went on to praise his country's recent progress towards modernization saying, "Women can now travel on inside of bus, homosexuals no longer have to wear blue hats and age of consent has been raised to eight years old." Hear his full response right here
But Borat's platitudes didn't seem to help and Kazakhstan isn't done trying to bring down Borat. They're taking their case to the highest authority available: U.S. President George Bush. Wait a minute, isn't Cohen British? Ah those crazy Kazakhstani.
The Kazakh leader is heading to the United States where he'll meet with W to discuss his country's image. They're planning a PR blitz to promote the "real Kazahkstan" on television and in print. Meanwhile, Borat will be making out with his sister in movie theaters across the country.
President Bush is more interested in talking to them about their oil, so he'll no doubt do a lot of placating. I almost feel sorry for him. Kazakh Government spokesperson Roman Vassilenko says, "We understand that the film exposes the hypocrisy that exists both here in the US and in the UK and understand that Mr Cohen has a right to freedom of speech." Yet they threatened to sue him to shut him up. They understand he has the right to free speech, they just want to squash it. Well, he is a Jew. He also looks a little bit like a gypsy. Free speech doesn't apply to them probably.
For Sacha Baron Cohen, this is probably the best thing to ever happen to him. How cool would it be to have the President of the United States holding an international summit on your comedy?
