In the discussions of Borat, and Sacha Baron Cohen's films in general, the people on screen are split into two distinct groups. The actors, who ore "in on it" and the real people, who are "duped." The real people who act poorly are judged harshly for their poor behaviour and Cohen is lauded for convincing them to reveal their dark inner selves.
I don't want to defend these people but I think Baron's films are more complicated and the line between actor and genuine person is much blurrier.
Firstly, many of the people in the films are paid to perform a specific job in the film. The lovely babysitter in Borat 2 was paid $3600. The Frat boys in the first film were paid $200 to party with Borat. In other words, they were directed by the filmmakers and paid for their time. This is not "real life". Yes, the frat boys ARE racist and the babysitter IS a delight but they were performing those roles for money.
Secondly, when faced with a camera (or any authority figure) people often act how they are expected to act. Look at Jimmy Kimmel's lie-witness news where people happily lie to the camera about fake news events. Or look at a studio audience who will clap and cheer because they're TOLD to clap and cheer. I've worked as a warm up comedian for television audiences and they are the warmest, happiest people. They WANT to help.
Some of the guards in the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment later admitted that they acted aggressively towards their prisoners because they thought that is what they were "supposed" to do. Faced with a strange situation, we look for the role they are SUPPOSED to fill.
Finally, Sacha Baron Cohen creates bizarre situation and this illicit bizarre reactions. Presented with a chaotic situation, people will act in unusual ways. This behaviour is often a panic response rather than a revelation of some hidden "truth." We've all done it, something weird happens and we act in a weird way. "Are you fucking sorry?" springs to mind.
Of course, many of the people are members of the general public, many didn't know they were being filmed and a large numbers would act the same regardless of whether the camera were rolling.
I'm not trying to defend anyone or imply the people are all actors, instead I want to highlight the complexity of the filmmaking process and how unique these films are.
TL;DR - The line between real and fake in Borat isn't always clear. People contain multitudes.
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/jjw8hy/on_the_reality_of_borat/
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