Romanians Suing Borat Film for Taking the Mickey

Glod – that’s the name of a tiny village in the Carpathian mountains, practically unknown to anyone outside of Romania. Unknown, that is, except as the hometown of legendary film character Borat.

The town was the location for scenes from the 20th Century Fox film in which the Khazakstani journalist Borat (a.k.a. Sascha Baron Cohen) shows off his “hometown” before wreaking havoc across the United States; but Glod’s new found fame has left local residents - many of whom were extras in the film - feeling like they’ve been dragged through the mud.

They’ve engaged a duo of high profile lawyers in the hope of winning damages to the tune of 30 million Euro from 20th Century Fox films.

The town is made up of small stone houses, some of which appear to be sinking into the mud, but others with small tidy front gardens and firewood for the winter neatly stacked. Toader Moise, a young man in a cheap leather jacket makes no secret of his anger.

“Borat wanted me to dance with him, to have this role in the film. He promised me a lot of money.”

Moise, who is unemployed, uneducated, and supports a wife and child with around one hundred Euro per month, got just ten Euro for acting in the film.

Inside a small bar in the town, the men argue over a card game and beers. When the topic turns to Borat they become enraged, shouting that only some of the people in the town profited from the film.

Nicolae Staicu, a local municipal council member for the Romany political party, told how he got one hundred euro for helping out with the film. But he said the film company deceived the people of Glod.

“These movie people first came to talk to us at the town hall. We couldn’t sign a contract with them, though. We first had to ask the people if they wanted to be part of this. For example, letting a cow into the house and so forth. Then the film people just bypassed us and went straight to the townspeople. They told them they were making a documentary film. There was no talk of a film like Borat, which would portray the whole town as criminals, thieves, and bandits – as people who sleep in their houses with animals, and drink from the toilet.”

Nicolae Staicu was horrified when he heard what had been done in the film. He said he had tried several times to telephone a lawyer in America, but without success, and is now talking to German lawyer Michael Wutti.

Spiridon Ciorobea is another complainant from the village. Neither has he seen the film, but an acquaintance told him about it.

“I also acted in the film. What he made out of me is a lie! He took a simple welder and presented him as an abortion doctor. He made me into a criminal. That hurt me a lot. I’m not going to let this lie. I have a wife and four children, and many grandchildren. Here it’s not about money, it’s about honor. That’s what I must defend. That’s my right.”

Now, with lawyer Michael Witti in Germany and Ed Fagan in New York, they are suing 20th Century Fox for 30 Million Euro, for discriminating against the Romany people in Glod. One thing is for sure, they could use the money. Many children in Glod don’t go to school on a regular basis and will probably stay just as poor as their parents.

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