Azamat Bagatov (Kazakh: Азамат Багатов) is a satirical character created by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Played by Ken Davitian, he is a Kazakh producer and a supporting character in the 2006 film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.[1]
| Azamat Bagatov Азамат Багатов عزامات باجاتوف | |
|---|---|
| Borat character | |
| First appearance | Borat (2006) |
| Last appearance | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2015) |
| Created by | Sacha Baron Cohen |
| Portrayed by | Ken Davitian |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Actor / Producer / bodyguard |
| Nationality | Kazakh |
| Residence | Kazakhstan |
The character did not appear in the 2020 sequel (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) as Davitian refused to appear in it, claiming that he was offered only a small role and "a very little amount of money."[1]
Fictional character biography
editMore commonly known as Azamat the Tajik, he rose to fame after his short stint in pornography where he shot to stardom after his big hit Big Khujandi on White Girl. After losing weight, Azamat was no longer employable in the adult film industry and began his career in film production. Azamat currently is pursuing a Computer Science degree at the fake University of Toronto branch, where he gets railed often. He has talked about wanting to get married soon but nothing has been confirmed. Not much is known about Azamat Bagatov other than the fact that he is the producer for Borat in his cross-country road trip to learn more about the culture of the United States.[2] He briefly is mentioned in Da Ali G Show, where it is revealed that he originated from Turkmenistan. He is married to Lindi, who is deceased.[3]
For a brief time, Bagatov was the most notorious rapist in all of Kazakhstan. When at school, he scored two percentile points higher than Borat on an exam (notwithstanding Borat's claims that this was due to Azamat cheating). Davitian spoke Armenian as Bagatov.[4]
Bagatov hates Jews and blames them for 9/11. He refuses to fly anywhere for this reason. In Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, it is revealed that sometime during the 14-year-gap between the first and second film, Bagatov had been executed for Kazakstan's downfall and had his skin turned into a chair which Borat sits on in the Kazakh president's office.[5] He was also listed as a "Patient Zero" candidate to spread COVID-19 in the United States, but that task ultimately went to Borat.
Role in "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan"
editIn Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Azamat Bagatov serves as Borat Sagdiyev's producer. He is responsible for managing the logistical aspects of their journey through the United States and assists Borat in navigating American culture. Azamat's interactions with Borat often lead to humorous and outrageous situations, contributing to the film's satirical and comedic elements.
Character Traits
editAzamat Bagatov is depicted as having a gruff demeanor, and his relationship with Borat is marked by frequent disagreements and cultural clashes. Despite these conflicts, Azamat remains a loyal companion to Borat throughout their travels.
Iconic Scenes
editOne of the most memorable scenes involving Azamat is the nude wrestling scene in a hotel, which has become one of the film's most discussed moments. This scene is a notable example of the film's provocative humor.
Role in "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"
editAzamat Bagatov does not appear in the 2020 sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Although the character is absent, his impact is acknowledged, and his legacy influences the storyline and Borat's interactions with new characters.
Portrayal by Ken Davitian
editKen Davitian's portrayal of Azamat Bagatov has been praised for its comedic timing and effectiveness in complementing Sacha Baron Cohen's performance as Borat. Davitian's contribution has played a significant role in the character's popularity and the film's success.
Cultural Impact
editAzamat Bagatov has become an iconic character within popular culture, contributing significantly to the lasting impact of the Borat film series. The character's humorous interactions and memorable scenes have cemented his place in comedic film history.
Analysis and reception
editThe "wrestling match between butt-naked men" involving Borat and Bagatov has been highlighted by a number of critics as one of the more memorable scenes from the movie,[6][7][8] and has been described by Cohen as "one of his favorite scenes" that he has created.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Chilton, Louis (October 28, 2020). "Borat star explains why his character was left out of the sequel". The Independent.
- ^ Abele, Robert (February 7, 2007). "Azamat Clothed". LA Weekly.
- ^ "Ali G + Borat - Dog Contest ( Super Funny ) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13.
- ^ Abcarian, Robin (February 26, 2007). "Disrobing Davitian". The Jerusalem Post.
- ^ Chhibber, Mini Anthikad (October 24, 2020). "'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' review: Sacha Baron Cohen's back to raise hell". The Hindu.
- ^ Geier, Thom; Jensen, Jeff; Jordan, Tina; Lyons, Margaret; Markovitz, Adam; Nashawaty, Chris; Pastorek, Whitney; Rice, Lynette; Rottenberg, Josh; Schwartz, Missy; Slezak, Michael; Snierson, Dan; Stack, Tim; Stroup, Kate; Tucker, Ken; Vary, Adam B.; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Ward, Kate (December 11, 2009), "The 100 greatest movies, TV shows, albums, books, characters, scenes, episodes, songs, dresses, music videos, and trends that entertained us over the past 10 years". Entertainment Weekly. (1079/1080):74-84
- ^ Stone, Alan A. (2009-10-01). "Bruno". Psychiatric Times. 26 (10): 15–15.
And the nude wrestling scene between Borat and his obese producer Azamat Bagatov (Ken Davitian) was inexplicably and unforgettably hilarious.
- ^ Kononenko, Natalie; Kukharenko, Svitlana (2008). "Borat the Trickster: Folklore and the Media, Folklore in the Media". Slavic Review. 67 (1): 8–18. doi:10.2307/27652763. ISSN 0037-6779.
Explicit female and male nudity permeates the movie, with its apogee being a nude wrestling scene with homoerotic overtones
- ^ "How Sacha Baron Cohen Topped His Naked Borat Fight Scene For The Brothers Grimsby". Cinemablend. 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2021-04-20.