Sacha Baron Cohen's fictional Kazakhstan reporter "Borat" has already made mischief across the globe with his off-color views and raging libido, posing as a serious reporter until he unleashes questions guaranteed to make any interviewee squirm. Artist Linda Stein was the victim of one of Cohen's elaborate ruses and appears in the upcoming film "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." She talks with Metro about her chat with Borat and how she feels about Cohen.
How were you approached to do the interview?
I was approached by a woman who called herself Chelsea Barnard. I probably should have picked up that this might have been a fake name. Barnard College, you know? But I didn't. She was very innocent looking, told me this was her first job and would I please help Third World women. They came to me because I'm on the Veteran Board of Feminists of America and as a feminist, I would like nothing more than to help women who are struggling with identity or rights around the world.
How do you think the film will affect feminism?
I said onscreen, I think it was at the point where he said, "You know a woman's brain is smaller than a man's brain" that I said, "That's very demeaning. Do you know what the word demeaning means?" Because here, I was so earnest. As an ex-art teacher, I thought I was teaching someone from a tribal community. He was terrific in his cover. I think at that point he said, "But do you see a problem because you know a woman's brain is smaller than a man's brain?" At that point I said, "That's it. Get out of here." The producer came over to me and said, "Look Linda, give him another chance. He doesn't know about American women. I'll speak to him." And he took Borat over to the side and said, "Look you can't talk this way to American women," in a stage whisper so that I could hear.
Did you ever get the sense during the interview that it was a hoax?
No. He came in and he seemed very interested in learning at the beginning. He spent about 10 minutes with me at the beginning saying, "What are these sculptures about? What materials are these?" I said, "Well, it's wood, metal, stone, copper, magnesium." And he said, "My country exports magnesium." So I said, "Oh, I didn't know that Kazakhstan exported magnesium." I was not about to say, "no, your country doesn't."
Had you ever heard of Ali G?
No. As an artist, I spend most of my time in my studio. I don't watch much television and this was the part that they liked very much about me. During a pre-interview, [Chelsea] came down and recorded me answering the question, "Do you watch much television?" I said "No, I don't watch any television except for the news." She (asked if I knew) Baywatch and a couple of other programs and she must've been thrilled because then she knew I couldn't possibly know Ali G.
You had mentioned that you wanted to ask Sacha Baron Cohen why he focuses on human weakness.
I channel these strong female figures and they are empowering. I'm thinking of the best in humans when I make these. Sacha Baron Cohen has chosen an art where his figures are highlighted for their weakness, for their foibles and I would love to have a conversation with Sacha Baron Cohen, not so much Borat. I don't think Borat in character would have a good conversation with me, but I would love to have that conversation with him.
Have you invited Cohen to your exhibit?
He's been invited but why don't you extend the invitation? Tell him not to bring paint or chalk or any defacing materials and not to get too close to my art.