Rudy Giuliani made headlines for appearing in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, leading to a controversy because of his (seemingly) inappropriate behaviour. Currently the personal attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump, the American politician took on the New York mafia during the 1980s and later became the Mayor of New York City. Prior to the October 2020 release of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Giuliani defended his appearance on social media, which naturally created buzz for the Amazon Prime mockumentary film.
Directed by Jason Woliner, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm picks up on the events of Larry Charles’ 2006 film Borat. The original movie stars British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat Sagdiyev, a journalist from Kazakhstan who travels to the United States and hopes to marry his celebrity crush, Pamela Anderson. Along the way, Borat learns about American culture and customs, with Cohen portraying his character as a politically incorrect antihero. In Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, the title character hopes to save his country’s reputation by returning to America and making an offering to prominent politicians. Borat then decides that his 15-year-old daughter, Tutar (Maria Bakalova), would be a good bride for U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm mostly includes appearances from unassuming Americans or people who seem to be in on the bit. The mockumentary doesn’t necessarily have any big celebrity on-camera moments; however, it’s clear that Cohen and company are building to a climactic prank. After Borat shifts his attention away from Pence, he comes up with a new plan for his daughter, who aspires to be a journalist, which leads to the controversial scene with Giuliani.
What Is Rudy Giuliani’s Scene In Borat 2
Giuliani appears at the 77-minute mark in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. He arrives at the Mark Hotel in New York City to discuss Trump’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, but doesn’t realize that the interview will be conducted by a Bulgarian actress who’s portraying a journalist for the mockumentary. Within the narrative of the film, Tutar hopes to impress Giuliani and eventually become his wife. By this time, however, Borat’s plan has changed and he races to Manhattan to rescue his daughter.
When the interview begins, Tutar reveals that Giuliani is one of her “greatest heroes” and admits that she’s “super excited and nervous.” The attorney attempts to calm her down, and then answers questions about China, national security, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Borat shows up disguised as an audio technician. He cites a “sound problem” and suggests that the interview should be cancelled. Tutar then forces her father out of the room as they discuss the stakes: if Borat doesn’t save Kazakhstan’s reputation, he will be killed. The ongoing joke in the Amazon Prime film is that Borat was initially asked to offer a bribe, not a bride.
After Borat leaves, Tutar apologizes to Giuliani and invites him to a bedroom for a drink. She then helps the interviewee remove his microphone as he sits on the bed. Seconds later in the Amazon Prime movie, Borat rushes into the bedroom wearing little clothing, and states that his daughter is “too young” for Giuliani while presenting himself as a suitable sexual partner. The father and daughter then make various sexual passes at the attorney, who exits room 816 and says “What’s going on here? Look at this guy.”
Why Rudy Giuliani’s Scene in Borat 2 Is Controversial
Giuliani has been criticized not only for his interview disposition in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, but also for his behavior in the bedroom sequence. At first, the attorney is friendly when trying to calm Tutar, but also makes a suggestive statement by saying “I’ll relax YOU.” During the interview, Tutar touches Giuliani’s knee at least twice, as the character is indeed trying to start a relationship with her interview subject. Giuliani’s response to the advances has made headlines because he appears to invite more flirtations. Once the interview ends, Giuliani appears to accept an invitation to have a drink in the bedroom. He also appears to ask Tutar for her phone number and address while the journalist helps remove his microphone. Giuliani then leans back on the bed after the equipment has been removed and appears to put his hand down his pants, which implies that he’s preparing for a sexual encounter. It’s at that moment in the Amazon Prime film when Borat enters the room and surprises Giuliani.
The Giuliani sequence in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm shouldn’t be taken at face value because of the tricky editing. For example, a recent report (via Slate) reveals how various locations are used for exterior shots just before the interview begins, and audio from the conversation between Tutar and Giuliani has been cleverly edited for dramatic purposes. For example, there appears to be heavy breathing that was added after Giuliani takes off his microphone, and some of Tutar’s dialogue is only heard but not seen. Unfortunately for Giuliani, though, it does indeed appear that he reaches down his pants after removing his microphone.
How Rudy Giuliani (& Others) Have Responded To Borat 2’s Scene
On Twitter, Giuliani described the controversial moment in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm as a “complete fabrication.” The attorney claims that he was trying to tuck in his shirt, and also states that he never acted inappropriately “before, during, or after” the interview. In addition, Giuliani reveals that he called the police after being set-up, and also makes several mentions to Joe Biden, the democratic presidential nominee.
Journalist Megyn Kelly defended Giuliani on Twitter after watching the controversial Amazon Prime clip from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, stating “This is absurd. I read all of the coverage yesterday thinking he was seen on cam pulling a Toobin. Now having watched it, it really does appear as if he was tucking in his shirt as he said.” Kelly’s “Toobin” comment references lawyer Jeffrey Toobin, who was recently suspended by The New Yorker after revealing his genitals during a group Zoom call.
As for Cohen, he stated (via The Hollywood Reporter) that “If the president’s lawyer found what he did there appropriate behavior, then heaven knows what he’s done with other female journalists in hotel rooms.” In a comedic footnote, Borat himself offered up the following statement about Giuliani’s appearance:
“I here to defend America’s mayor Rudolph Giuliani. What was an innocent sexy time encounter with a consenting man and my 15-year-old daughter has been turned into something disgusting by fake news media.”
