Banning Borat.

Authors:
Gogoi, Pallavi

Source:
Business Week Online; 11/7/2006, p16-16, 1p

"The movie Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, is a sensation in the U.S., opening as the top-grossing film this past weekend by pulling in more than $26 million. But it won't be readily available for viewing in Kazakhstan.
The country's largest movie chain, Otau Cinema, has banned the film. "We consider this movie offensive, a complete lie, and nonsense," said Ruslan Sultan, distribution manager for the chain, according to Reuters." (para 3-4)

"First names like "babe" are unacceptable, which is why the movie Babe about the lovable pig that herded sheep was banned. Saturday Night Fever is also banned, some say because it may be deemed to cause chaos in the community." (para 5)

"But movie bans often have the opposite of their intended effect, sparking headlines and getting people more interested in the films. "Kazakhstan should embrace the movie and use it to promote tourism; after all, no one was talking about Kazakhstan last week -- this week, everybody is," says Drew Neisser, president and CEO of brand consultants Renegade Marketing Group. "There's nothing like banning a movie to make every person want to see it."" (para 12)


Good source first found in Business Week Online.