Borat 2: Sacha Baron Cohen says it will be a 'travesty' if Maria Bakalova isn't Oscar nominated
Sacha Baron Cohen is hoping Borat 2 will find success at the Oscars in the form of a nomination for his co-star, Maria Bakalova.
The first Borat, which was released in 2006, scored a single nomination in the Best Adapted Screenplay category despite the fact Baron Cohen won Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes.
Looking ahead to the next ceremony – set to take place in April – Baron Cohen said it would be a “travesty” if Bakalova is snubbed.
Bakalova plays the role of Borat's daughter, Tutar, in sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which was released on Amazon Prime video last week. She has been widely praised for her performance as well as the way she handled particular situations, including a controversial encounter with former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani.
“She’s an incredible actor,” Baron Cohen said in a video interview promoting the film. “We interviewed 600 young women from all around the world and she’s hilarious. She is one of the most courageous actors in history. If she doesn’t get nominated for an Oscar, then that’s a travesty.”
He continued: “She’s hilarious and has the capacity to deliver a scene and make you cry. That’s what finally got her the part. When we did the breakup scene in the movie, I had to stop it because I felt myself getting quite emotional."
Baron Cohen commended her for “coming to America for the first time” to “play a role with real people in some terrifying situations”.
“She got through it all – she's a revelation,” he said.
Other actors in the running for Oscar nominations include Glenn Close (Hillbilly Elegy), Viola Davis (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) and Olivia Colman (The Father).
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