"Borat" Star Sues Over Embarrassing Performance
Though "Borat" was only pretending to look for "cultural learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan," it now appears his creator is getting a first-hand lesson in what makes our country great -- frivolous lawsuits. With his movie topping box offices across the globe, Sasha Baron Cohen is getting sued by the smash hit's unwitting stars. The latest is Justin Seay, a University of South Carolina graduate, who, along with two other Chi Psi fraternity brothers, goes on a disturbing rant about slavery and women after picking up Borat in their Winnebago. According to Smoking Gun, the 24-year-old has filed suit alleging that Borat's crew got them liquored up and encouraged them to engage in "behavior that they otherwise would not have engaged in." With millions of people laughing and wincing at his on-screen antics, Seay claims he has suffered humiliation, mental anguish and distress. And in America, Mr. Sagdiyev, that translates to "pay me!"
While Cohen and his production team certainly have a knack for finding and taking advantage of the, shall we say, socially questionable citizens of the "U.S. and A," it's hard to imagine that this suit has much merit. First off, a quick look at Seay's Myspace pictures suggest that "gettin' drunk and havin' a good time," are pastimes he regularly engages in -- not behaviors that the producers likely duped him into. Second, he, along with everyone else in the film, signed an agreement relinquishing any rights to take action. Third, the scene in question is so despicable (even though Seay appears less awful than his two frat brothers) that it's hard to imagine any judge or jury feeling sympathetic to his cause. Yes, "Borat" may have plowed through America's heartland raking in over $67 million at the expense of our cultural faux pas, but perhaps through the humiliation, anguish and distress of seeing those latent prejudices on the big screen, our "glorious nation" will learn how ugly intolerance can be or, failing that, stop spouting off when there's a camera rolling. If so, it will cost Cohen and his future films a lot more money than any law suit.
By Emil Steiner | November 14, 2006; 2:36 PM ET | Category: OFF/beat
Posted by: | November 15, 2006 11:48 AM
I agree with this article that the most shocking aspect of this film is not the antics of Cohen but the prejudices of his unsuspecting characters. Though many may try to blame the actions of the bystanders on the provocative actions of the Borat character, there is no excuse for some of the quick rudeness from some of the Americans in the film. From New York to California this film gave a humorous view into the real shortcomings in society.
Posted by: Nathan | November 15, 2006 7:28 PM
If they were lied to about the use of the footage thats fraud. For instance you cant tell someone your filming them for the news and then put it in a porno.
Posted by: | November 15, 2006 9:40 PM
in no other country in the world, other than america would a comedy movie have become host to the multitude of lawsuits that Borat faces. for what it's worth, Borat is a one of its kind movie, save perhaps the jackass couple. if people complain about the grotesque or rude nature of the movie, its not like you didn't know what you were paying for once u went in. and you had a good laughs, no matter how stuck up or snobbish you were. but outside the theater u want to rant on to sound "cool." entirely despicable and disturbing.
also, if borat hadnt topped $70 million by now, there would have been no lawsuits. lawsuits, in america are so disgusting because of the hypocrisy involved. no one is ever suing over principle, and everyone claims to be doing so. i hope that fatass fratboy and his cronies lose and their true opinions, which they let lose only under the influence slap them back in the face real soon in the future!!!
Posted by: Ali Nomani | November 17, 2006 5:06 AM
The fact is that he IS suing over principle. Before the movie was released he went before the court to try to keep the movie from going nation-wide, he wasn't out for money. Of course this doesn't excuse their behaivor, especially the behaivor and comments from the other two, but his pending case is based on the fact that he was lied to on many different levels to get this thing rolling. They were promised that the film would never be shown in the United States,and that the names of the University and Fraternity would not be made known. The Borat production crew also took them to a bar and give them an open tab before having them sign the release forms that they told them were simply to waive liability of injury aboard the RV. I know racial intollerance is unacceptable, but so is fraud. And to Ali Nomani(posted above) how is you calling him a fatass any different or better than what Justin said in the film?
Posted by: Brandon Glover | November 17, 2006 3:28 PM
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Out of curiousity is there anyone who isn't suing him? This is so America! The more money you start making the more problems you have...