Sexy Time!!

This is the second time I've seen Borat. And to be honest, I was more offended then the first time I saw it, but I also laughed more than the first time. So it was in all, strangely irritating and satisfying. It just blows my mind that a video like this could be educational in the slightest, but the fact of the matter is, it is. Borat touches on not only the cultural differnces American and Asians have, but it delves into prejudices cultures have toward one another, assumptions we make, and most importantly, how different our living styles and values are. Just because we're American we automatically assume what we have going on over here is right. Our way our the highway (sorry to be cliche). Other countries have very successful governments and economies running their lives non-parallel to our beliefs, and who's to say they can't. I mean, certainly there are moral standards that we as a world live up to, and I believe Borat touches on that a little bit. Just because he might do things differently he expects to be respected whether or not you disagree. The movies also touches on how we as a society can sometimes force our beliefs and values on other. In the scene in New York when Borat tries to kiss one of the guys on the street and the man proceeds to run away at top speed with Borat chasing him reminds me that not everyone is going to just roll over and say "bring on the change." If people do intend to change they need time, and if they refuse well then, just leave it be.

Also, Borat touches on many cultural differences that I think people need to stop being so surprised by. In the United States we have people that talk differently, call soda different names, listen to different music. Even here in the US you can't find a Dunkin Donuts on the West Coast to save your life. So why wouldn't life across the ocean be different with all the differences we have happening in one hemisphere. If people could start approaching cultural differences (despite how we feel about them) by the words "that's an interesting way to do it" instead of "holy shit did they just east a mouse?" I do believe we'd find a lot of similarities as well. We're all humans. Besides the moral standards (if they be on the same page) who cares if people in some deep southern jungle in a third world eat catepillars and lizards? They're probably making fun of us for eating something called a "Big Mac." What's normal isn't always what's normal for someone else. I think if you can wrap your head around that, Borat will take on a whole different meaning.

Central Asia, Here I Come!

Okay, so I've always been sort of jealous of movie buffs. I know it sounds stupid but how can people begin those types of journeys? I mean it takes dedication and a lot of discipline I feel to be able to stay with one genre so loyally. I love horror films but I haven't seen close to 3% of the horror films ever made. It makes me feel lazy. But hopefully this class will give me some interesting insight into movies across the Atlantic. Starting with Borat is and will always be the weirdest start to a semester ever, but I can kind of see where it might be going. Over not just in Central Asia, but in Europe in general, there is just a different standard. Their way of life is so laid-back but so successful it makes you wonder why Americans can't figure out how to have their cake and eat it too. We pride ourselves in being tolerant and such, but look at how we look down on others. Okay, I'm sort of off topic. What I mean to say, is that you can tell a lot about a group of people by the way they choose to express themselves. I think learning about Central Asia through their films is going to be an experience like no other. I mean, people like to watch movies. Who doesn't enjoy at least one good film. And if that film can speak to you, well then it should be able to teach you something as well. I'm very excited to be able to have this opportunity to see movies I would never have heard of otherwise. It gives me the feeling I will be learning a lot, and annoying my friends in about two months with all my newly acquired knowledge.