Sacha Baron Cohen’s iconic character returns in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm at a crucial moment for America’s political landscape. Like Borat did in 2006, this sequel challenges the key issues of our time, through the lens of a satirical character. Instead of Baron Cohen taking centre stage, Borat’s daughter (played by newcomer Maria Bakalova) provides the insight into the opinions of the American people.
The film is wonderfully self-aware, from the similarly structured scenes from the original, to the fact that Borat is now famous in the USA both within the film and in real life. There is a definite loss of authenticity from the first one because there is no anonymity anymore but it is remedied somewhat through Bakalova’s character Tutar. This is where the link to current issues really shines through as it focuses on conservative views on women and their reproductive rights, conspiracy theories, and Trump’s administration.
The timing of the release is the key to this film as the presidential election and COVID-19 pandemic are prevalent in the messaging and even ends with the imploration to vote. It feels similar to films such as Jojo Rabbit (a self-described ‘anti hate satire’) in the way that it uses comedy to communicate important social issues.
‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Pep Reviews 