borat, the movie, came to iqaluit for the usual 5 screenings. the weather was mild, balmy -12C, and only -17C with the wind chill factor. i enjoyed the walk to the frobisher inn, where the astro theatre is located.

i've heard, of course, how hilarious the movie is; how people can't stop laughing. for days after.

there were a couple of scenes where i chuckled. the rest? i was alternatively deeply saddened, horrified, or grossed out.

cohen's character, borat, through his own anti-semitic and other hatred provoking antics, exposes anti-semitism and homophobia, and some misogyny in the us. the subjects that reacted 'the best' were simple minded, working class, mostly elderly, in rural texas, as the producers had to choose areas with little cable tv exposure.

the movie is full of gross out stunts that expose nothing about 'cultural' differences, and they dilute the message that the movies struggles to achieve. borat defacating in a public area; borat trying to kiss strangers on the lips; borat and his buddy running around naked in their hotel. the reactions of bystanders, if anything, show how tolerant and polite most people are.

i was impressed by the etiquette expert who was guiding borat through a dinner party situation. her composure was spectacular.

the scenes with the prostitute were poignant, but i seriously doubt she wasn't in on it.

sacha cohen claims to have over 400 hours of tape for this 82 minutes movie. if this was his best material, i doubt most people's reactions were as 'bad' as he wanted them to be.

a laught-out-loud movie? hardly. depressing? somewhat. interestingly, out of 8 people in the theater no one even chuckled. this is not a very representative sample, of course, but still.