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Sacha Baron Cohen’s Unforgettable New York Evictions During “Borat” Filming
Not many individuals can say they have been banned from the state of New York twice, but Sacha Baron Cohen stands out with such a distinction. During a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Cohen detailed the peculiar circumstances surrounding his two evictions while promoting his Apple TV+ series “Disclaimer” to host Jimmy Fallon.
“I thought it was a little bit over the top,” he remarked, reflecting on his unique encounters with law enforcement while filming.
The First Eviction: A Comedic Mishap
Both incidents took place during the production of the mockumentary films “Borat” and its sequel, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” The first eviction occurred at the Wellington Hotel, where Cohen’s character, Borat, mistakenly believed that renting a room included all its furnishings.
“Borat thought that when he bought the room for 200 bucks, he bought everything in the room. So I started carrying out the bed and the furniture,” Cohen recounted, eliciting laughter from Fallon and the studio audience. This behavior prompted hotel staff to alert the police, leading to the arrest of some crew members, including the line producer and the first assistant director.
As Cohen and his team filmed multiple scenes in the same precinct, local law enforcement became familiar with him. Eventually, the head of the precinct decided enough was enough, resulting in Cohen being asked to leave the state.
The Second Eviction: A High-Stakes Encounter
The second occurrence was considerably more intense, happening during the COVID-19 pandemic when New York City was under strict lockdown regulations. A standout moment of the sequel included a controversial interview between Borat’s daughter, Tutar Sagdiyev, played by Maria Bakalova, and Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor.
In this infamous scene, Tutar engages Giuliani in a seemingly flirtatious manner, culminating in a moment where she invites him into her hotel room under the pretense of fixing his microphone. As Giuliani appears to unzip his pants, Cohen bursts in, humorously disrupting the moment while dressed in women’s lingerie, stating he does not approve of the situation.
Before the interview commenced, a police officer was supposed to sweep the room for security. To ensure their plan succeeded, Cohen’s team ingeniously crafted a false back to a wardrobe, allowing him to remain hidden until his moment on stage.
“The thing happens, Rudy freaks out, and suddenly the cop comes into the room. And he says you’re staying right here,” Cohen shared with Fallon, illustrating the tension of the moment. With a quick escape plan in mind, he maintained his character as Borat and addressed the officer, asserting, “No, you cannot. This is my property. That will be false imprisonment under your New York statute.” This quick thinking allowed him to evade the officer and escape the hotel.
Cohen received a call from his lawyer—who had previously advised him to leave the state during the first film—informing him about the escalating situation. Law enforcement had been alerted by Giuliani or others, and they were rapidly converging on the hotel.
“My lawyer said, ‘Get the hell out of the state,’” Cohen recalled, emphasizing the urgency of the advice.
While the police sought to confiscate the footage, they were ultimately unsuccessful. Despite his lawyer’s cautions, Cohen initially took the threats lightly until he connected with a detective friend in New York.
Initially, when describing the unfolding scenario without mentioning Giuliani’s name, Cohen’s friend downplayed the need for concern. But upon revealing Giuliani’s involvement, the detective’s demeanor shifted dramatically. “He goes, ‘Get the hell out of the state,’” Cohen recounted.
These harrowing yet comedic tales add another layer to the legendary reputation of Sacha Baron Cohen, particularly in the context of his groundbreaking and provocative filmmaking style.
Source
www.thewrap.com