THE STORY OF KAZAKH TALENT

In 2006, Borat came out and won the western population. It was praised for facing biases and issues but no one stopped to question how the actual Kazakh people felt about this film. Sacha Baron Cohen portrayed my culture as misogynistic, antisemitic, uneducated and dog shooters. It has been 14 years since the last film's release and it dictated how my country was seen for far too long. I want to regain the narrative and show my culture and Kazakh people in their full beautiful diverse complexity.

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The film used a largely unknown minority and exploited it for comedic purposes. This should not be allowed in the age of anti-racism. No cultural group should be misrepresented through false information spread by influential men. I know that in 20-30 years time we can look back on Borat and frown the same way we condemn blackface and yellowface, but I am not willing to wait decades for this awakening when it can happen today. 

With the new Borat film approaching soon, I want to show the real Kazakhstan. I have pride in the multitude of beautiful and intelligent artists, film-makers, models, and activists.

Welcome to Kazakh Talent.