Job Discussion Forums

[Stephen Jones]

[johnslat]

Dear scot47.
I can't say I'm a big fan of Sacha Cohen (Borat); his brand of comedy's a bit too broad for my taste.
But my goodness - he's not "reinforcing stereotypes" - in fact, just the opposite.
I would think with as long a stay in the Kingdom as you've had, irony would be very recognizable:

"Currently one of the most famous users of irony, satire and parody is the British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in his characters Ali G and Borat. I went to see the controversial comedy hit Borat, accompanied by Sari Salin, who has studied irony in literature.

Borat is an ultra-chauvinist and racist East-European journalist on a learning trip to find out about American society. Cohen has a go at anti-Semitism, chauvinism, racism and homophobia as well as stereotypical ideas about the backward East Europeans held in the West. Nobody in the film seems to question the authenticity of Borat�s character.

Cohen uses irony in its classical sense: saying something other than what he means. He plays a prejudiced character with the aim of bringing the hidden prejudices of his victims to light.

�Cohen uses Socratic irony, pretending to be stupid, but what is more, the film reminds me of the traditional and universal trickster character. It is a mythical character who breaks every rule and is incredibly stupid, yet extremely cunning. All the picaresque and fool characters and present-day comedians originate from the trickster,� Salin says."

Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]

[scot47]

I didn't find Alf Garnett funny either. I suspect that many of those watching that programme also agreed with the vile racist sentiments that were meant to be interpreted ironically.

[johnslat]

Being misunderstood seems to be an occupational hazard of satirists.

When Jonathan Swift wrote his satirical "A Modest Proposal" some readers took his suggestion that the poor of Ireland sell their children (increasing income and decreasing expenses) seriously. This misunderstanding of satire continues today.

I suppose it's true that many who saw "Borat" "actually agreed with the vile racist sentiments that were meant to be interpreted ironically", but then, nothing could likely pierce such invincible ignorance.

As I mentioned before, his comedy is too broad for my taste, but I can't blame him for the stupidity of some of his viewers.

Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]

Baron Cohen as a modern day Johnathon Swift?

I don't think so.

BTW has the great man himself ever expressed regret that the great unwashed are misinterpreting his subtle work of satire? Or is he happy to earn a lot of money from the fact that people - always and everywhere - will enjoy making fun of easy targets? If the latter (as I strongly suspect) I somehow don't feel much pity for Baron-Cohen and his being 'misunderstood'.

[johnslat]

Dear Cleopatra,
Sorry, I guess I didn't make it clear. I was not comparing the literary merits of Swift and Cohen; I was comparing their satire's being misunderstood.

And you know - I can identify with that.

By the way, I don't pity him, either. Did anyone mention pity?

Regards,
John

[Stephen Jones]

It is true that Baron-Cohen has never expressed regret for annoying humorless harridans such as Cleopatra. If he ever does I shall inform him his apology is quite out of place and the more he rubs their nose in the sand the better.

Only the terminally thick could think that Borat or Ali G are taking the piss out of Kazakhs or British Asians, but then being terminally thick has never been a barrier to entry in TEFL.

[johnslat]

Dear Stephen,

" .. being terminally thick has never been a barrier to entry in TEFL."

And thank God for that - otherwise I'd never have had the chance to see as much of the world as I have.

Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]

[johnslat]

In Jan. 1999, Nazarbayev was sworn into office for another seven years, although the election was widely criticized when an opposition leader was disqualified on a technicality. Despite his authoritarianism, Nazarbayev, who has ruled Kazakhstan since 1989 (when it was still part of the Soviet Union), is a widely popular leader. Kazakhstan has the potential for becoming one of central Asia's richest countries because of its huge mineral and oil resources and its liberalized economy, which encourages Western investment. In 2000, oil was discovered in Kazakhstan's portion of the Caspian Sea. It is believed to be the largest oil find in 30 years. In March 2001, a pipeline opened to transport oil from the Tengiz fields to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. In 2004, Kazakhstan signed a deal allowing China to build an oil pipeline to the Chinese border.

But as its economic outlook blossoms, Kazakhstan's scarce democratic principles continue to wither. In the past several years, the president has harassed the independent media, arrested opposition leaders, and passed a law making it virtually impossible for new political parties to form. In Dec. 2005, President Nazarbayev was reelected with 91% of the vote. In May 2007, Parliament voted to do away with term limits, thus allowing President Nazarbayev to remain in office indefinitely. In June, Nazarbayev dissolved parliament and called for elections in August, two years ahead of schedule. The opposition complained that the move did not give them adequate time to campaign.

Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov resigned in January 2007, giving no reason for the move. He was replaced by former deputy prime minister Karim Masimov.

In August 2007 parliamentary elections, the governing party, Nur Otan (Light of the Fatherland), won 88.1% of the votes and all 98 contested seats. The victory further consolidated power in the hands of Nazarbayev.


http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107674.html


http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/01/18/kazakh12287.htm

[The_Prodiigy]

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[Cleopatra]

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[sheikh radlinrol]

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