Satirist Sacha Baron Cohen has apologized to the people of Kazakhstan for his character Borat, a crude, racist, sexist Kazakh journalist who travels across America and, through interactions with random people, exposes the hypocrisy, prejudice and racism of the West.
“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” was nominated for an Oscar. When its sequel was made in 2020, a group of Kazakh Americans wrote in an open letter that Borat had done “irreparable damage to the image of Kazakhstan,” the Independent reminded readers Friday.
The actor issued the apology during an appearance on a podcast recorded at the 92nd Street Y cultural center in New York, the outlet reported.
“I want to apologize to the people of Kazakhstan, and I’m doing it for the first time, because Borat has absolutely nothing to do with Kazakhstan,” he said.
He explained that when he created the character, initially for the BBC, Borat was supposed to come from Albania.
“Borat’s country of origin changed depending on which TV network was paying for him. I would just say: ‘That character stayed at the BBC! So I’ll create a completely new one. His name is Alexi Krickler, and he’s from Moldova,'” he said. “The character kept changing his origin.”
Addressing the audience, Cohen spoke directly to the people of Borat’s home country. “Listen, dear Kazakhs, maybe some of you were sent here on some special mission… Please, call it off. I mean no harm. I respect your nation and your culture. Please, don’t take it personally,” he said. (PAP)
