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Wa Wa Wee Wah! Happy Borat Day!

We've sparked your curiosity with the latest Kazakhstan travel news, prepped you with Movie Set Travel, and covered the Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan feud relentlessly, and the day of truth is finally upon us. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan rolls into theaters today. As we type, Borat is rated 95% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes.

The New York Post's Lou Lumenick gave Borat one of the most glowing reviews we've seen...of any movie, ever. The Times' goddess of eternal befuddlement, Manohla Dargis, seemed to like the film, kinda, while The New Yorker's Anthony Lane, well...we don't really know. We don't have a Wall Street Journal subscription and weren't able to read the full report from Joe Morgenstern, but we're guessing he liked it as much as the Post guy: "Borat may be dangerous to abdominal health; there must be a limit to how many convulsions a belly can take without trauma."

Consider yourself lucky if you live in a market where movie tickets are still cheap, because it's going to cost us more than $50 to see Borat the five times we hope to. We'll even give you a pass for leaving www.jaunted.com if it's for a dash to the megaplex. Stay tuned for box office numbers on Monday.

Related Stories:
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]
· Kazakhstan coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Movie Set Travel / → All Tags

Movie Set Travel: Borat's Cultural Learnings Arrive

We're hearing raves about Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and are only sad it's just two hours of hilarity. Seriously, one of IMDB's commenters wrote, "This film lives up to the challenge. Anyone who is a fan of the show will find themselves on the edge of their seats, trying not to spray urine on those close to them." Clear your plans, folks. Perhaps invest in some Huggies.

As you must already know, Borat follows the cross-country trip of beloved Kazakhstani TV newsman, Borat Sagdiyev. He's sent to the U.S. and intent on finding and marrying Pamela Anderson.

Sure, most of the film was shot in LA and Manhattan, but we're not letting that stop us from doing it justice. Today we highlight some places across the country we think Borat would have had a swell old time at - enjoy!

Where To Get a Dose of Home:
Embassy of Kazakhstan to the USA and Canada
Borat should surely make a stop off at his friendly local embassy, located on 16th Street NW in Washington, DC. And you should check out the embassy's webpage and its "reasons the movie will spur increased interest in the real Kazakhstan." Before Borat, who knew (or cared) that Kazakhstan is four times the size of Texas?!

Where To Sport Your Day-Glo Green Butt Floss Bathing Suit:
Will Rogers State Beach
Borat can hop off the Pacific Coast Highway near the intersection with Temescal Canyon Road, and hit the beach where Pam Anderson made too-small red bathing suits and silicone famous. This is where Baywatch was shot (before relocating to Hawaii) and where Borat can soak in the sun, and scare the locals.

Where To Eat Your "Dogs That Is Hot":
Dash Dogs
Borat should head to 127 Rivington Street in NYC for his noted favorite food, hot dogs, at Dash Dogs. Kosher dogs are covered in everything from avocado to chili with Fritos to cilantro-garlic salsa. They're open late for post-bar feedings and midnight munchies. Great Success!

Related Stories:
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Kazakhstan / Tourism Boards / → All Tags

Borat on CNN International While Real Kazakhs Keep On Kazakhing

Borat has been making the media rounds lately, and this morning (EST, at least) he made an appearance on CNN International for an interview with Becky Anderson. He refused to shake hands with the female journalist, but opened up a bit about his path to journalism ("I was educate in Astana University," "before this...I was a gypsy-catcher") and reasons for coming to America.

Not that he spoke much about the real Kazakhstan, though he did mention that it borders "assholes Uzbekistan." For a bit of photojournalism to temper the Borat attack, check out this slide show produced by Felix Merino and Nick Easen. It contains pictures of the Tien Shan and Kungey Alatau mountains, "richly decorated" yurts, and urban life in Almaty.

Thanks for the tip McCluskey!

Related Stories:
· Borat coverage [Jaunted]
· Kazakhstan coverage [Jaunted]

more ›

Tags: Film Festival Travel / Movies / Celeb Travel News / Nicole Kidman / Borat / → All Tags

Film Fest-ivities Wrap Up in Rome

When not doing as the Kosovars do, Nicole Kidman does instead as the Romans do, and parties in Rome. She opened up the first annual Rome Film Fest on October 13 with her movie Fur, before jetting back to the States to tend to her troubled hubby. The event, described as a party for the people of Rome (rather than a traditional, elitist sort of affair), wrapped up on Saturday.

The festival is an official partner of the Tribeca Film Festival, so it's no surprise that Robert DeNiro and his buddy Leo DiCaprio showed up. Also in attendance were Harrison Ford, Monica Bellucci, and Sean Connery, who received this year's lifetime achievement award. Not in attendance: Sophia Loren, who was accidentally snubbed when organizers forgot to invite her. Of the snafu, Rome's mayor commented: "We didn't invite her this year because we hoped she would be the guest of honor next year, just as Sean Connery was this time." Right.

Robert DeNiro unveiled a 20-minute snippet of his upcoming movie, "The Good Shepherd," which stars Super World Traveler herself, Angelina Jolie. Sadly, Borat didn't win any awards, though it did screen there. Top honor went instead to a Russian adaptation of Hamlet called Playing the Victim.

[Photo: SMH]

Related Stories:
· Kidman opens Rome Film Festival [BBC]
· DeNiro Partners With Rome Film Fest [CBS Showbuzz]
· Ford, 'Borat' light up Rome fest [Hollywood Reporter]
· Nicole Kidman Heads to Kosovo [Jaunted]
· Keith Urban to Stay Put in Nashville [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Kazakhstan / → All Tags

Kazakhstan Invites Cohen Over

The Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan has extended an official jagshemash to Borat--er, Sacha Baron Cohen--and asked him to visit their country to see it for himself.

Deputy Foreign Minister Rakhat Aliyev hopes his country can Make Benefit by hosting Cohen and showing him that "women drive cars, wine is made of grapes, and Jews are free to go to synagogues." The official's recent statements are some of the most lighthearted coming out of the Kazakh government to date--did they catch an advance screening of the movie and finally realize how genius it is?

We doubt that Cohen will take them up on that offer--it would, after all, probably force him to break character--but we wouldn't mind a free trip to the most happenin' spot in Central Asia. Won't you take pity and send us there? No? Well, in that case, at least send us your Kazakhstan travel tips, tales, & info.

Related Stories:
· Kazakh Official to Borat: Come Visit [ABC]
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Roman Vassilenko / Kazakhstan / → All Tags

Nosy Uzbek Spies Respond to Borat on NPR

Just when you thought the spat between Borat and his opposition couldn't get better, Uzbek operative Roman Vassilenko has turned to venerated NPR to repond to some of Sagdiyev's claims about Kazakhstan. "Jagshemash," he says, is not a Kazakhstani greeting. Instead, it is "salamatsyz ba," for "good afternoon." Kazakhstan makes its money off oil, not "postassium exports." In a Q&A posted along with the audio interview, Vassilenko denies being Uzbek alltogether, claiming he is a "proud patriot of Kazakhstan," and so on.

We are skeptical, but naturally would trust you, dear readers, more than this imposter. Send us your Kazakhstan travel tips, tales, & info. We are especially interested in hearing from anyone who has tried that magical fermented mare's milk drink. Seriously, anyone been to Kazakhastan? From Kazakhastan? What is the real deal like? Let us know.

Related Stories:
· Kazakhstan Embassy Responds to Borat [NPR]
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / → All Tags

Bonjour to Borat in Paris

Our favorite Kazakistanian, Borat, hit up Paris for a press conference yesterday to promote his upcoming (rumored to be hilarious) film, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

Of course the event started off traditional Borat-style, with Sacha Baron Cohen donning a turquoise and yellow parachute pants outfit and saying, "Good afternoon gentlemen and prostitutes. How much? I have dollars."

After the conference ended, Borat toured the streets of city in search of folks to make the butt of his jokes and er, prostitutes. He has a month to go before the movie opens, and much more ground to cover we can only hope...

Related Stories:
· Paris Says Bonjour to Borat [TMZ]
· Borat Goes to Paris [Chortler]

Tags: YouTube / Uzbekistan / Borat / → All Tags

More Uzbek Propaganda

Borat Sagdiyev would be incensed. Not only are the Uzbeks spreading rumors that Kazakhs don't drink fermented horse urine, but they seem to be hiring YouTubers to infiltrate the internets for them. What's worse, these propagandists are uploading videos that are actually, well...kinda interesting. Above, Uzbek spy srougas99 takes you through Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent.

Related Stories:
· Kazakhstan Travel Ad or Uzbekistan Propaganda? [Jaunted]
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Kazakhstan / Borat / YouTube / Nursultan Nazarbayev / → All Tags

Kazakhstan Travel Ad or Uzbekistan Propaganda?

We heard that, facing the upcoming Borat movie, Kazakhstan was looking to improve its image in the U.S.

We heard that Kazakhstan wanted to run commercials, in addition to that giant print ad in the NY Times and IHT, but never expected they would surface. But surface they did, right in our home on CNN this morning. We can't say with what frequency they're running, or on what channels, but if you've yet to catch this rare, beautiful specimen for yourself, the above video of the whole shebang should hold you over for now. Bonus points to the ad director for putting Nazarbayev himself in the bit.

So Borat, are these ads accurate portrayals of your homeland or more evil nitwit propaganda from the nosey Uzbeks?

Jagshemash!

Related Stories:
· Kazakhs Buy Glorious Ad To Combat "Borat" [TMZ]
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]
· Borat Versus President Nazarbayev [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Borat Press Conference / → All Tags

Borat Holds Washington DC Press Conference

Click the box above to play the clip.

Furthermore, all claims that our glorious leader is displeased with my film is lyings.

According to Borat, there is a screening of Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan in DC tonight, and Donald Rumsfeld, George Walter Bush, Bill Gates, OJ Simpsons and Mel Gibsons are all invited to this screening.

After the screening there will be a party and discussion of the relations between the US and Kazakhstan at Hooters on 825 Seventh Street.

We are just waiting for our MySpace profile to get invited to the screening and Hooter's afterparty.  Kazakhstan, the ball is back in your court.

Related Stories:
· Borat Coverage [Jaunted]
· Borat Video [CollegeHumor]

Tags: Celeb Travel / Borat / Sacha Baron Cohen / → All Tags

Borat Versus President Nazarbayev

The feud between the people of Kazakhstan--mainly one person, the president--and Borat continues, according to the New York Times. The Kazakh president was angry that many news outlets reported that the subject of his recent trip to the U.S. was to complain about Borat. While the Bush Administration can certainly sympathize with his troubles dealing with the media, President Nazarbayev wasn't making a special trip to complain about the comedian.

We think that the Kazakh government should embrace the Borat phenomenon more fully than they have; each angry denunciation makes them look foolish, and banning the importation of the film into the country doesn't make the argument that theirs is a totally free society any easier.  

Many other countries around the world learned that the path to American tourist dollars is paved with insults: Americans all frequently visit Canada, France, Mexico and the UK, and they're snottier about those countries than anywhere else in the world. We kid because we love. Besides, more people know about fermented mare's milk now than ever before--what's bad about that?

Related Stories:
·   Kazakhs Shrug at Borat While State Fumes [NYT]
·   Borat [Jaunted]

Tags: Borat / Adventure Travel / Business Travel / Celeb Travel / Movies / → All Tags

Borat and Business Travel in the New York Times

The New York Times loves Borat so much, they're recommending Kazakhstan--specifically Almaty--for business travel. Either the movie is hysterically funny or they've been hitting the fermented mare's milk a bit too hard. We think it may be a little of both.

There are too many pearls of wisdom to recount here, but imagine that you're about to be send on a business trip over there, and you see this:

Central Asia is a land of funny hats, and the traditional Kazakh costume mandates a funnel for women that looks like a witch's hat. Business attire in Almaty is no different from New York.

So, ladies need to bring their witch's hats, and men just need suits. Don't mess up and bring your wizard's hat, men--you'll just make a fool of yourself at that meeting.

Related Stories:
·   Almaty [NYT]
·   Borat [Jaunted]