The Borat 2 writers originally gave actress Maria Bakalova a graphic monologue that ran several pages long. In Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Sacha Baron Cohen reprises his fictional Kazakhstani reporter Borat Sagdiyev, who travels to America in an effort to deliver his daughter Tutar to Mike Pence as a gift. Since its release on Amazon Prime, the mockumentary has received a torrent of backlash from several subjects duped by Cohen, including Rudy Giuliani, who was unknowingly filmed lying on a hotel bed in the movie's most controversial scene. Despite the constant wave of reactions since its October 23 release, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm earned praise for Cohen's fearless performance and has become the second-most streamed on-demand movie of 2020 so far.
Maria Bakalova has also been singled out for her performance as Borat's daughter Tutar, with many calling her the breakout performer of the year and a potential Oscar contender for Best Supporting Actress. Critics praised how the mostly unknown Bulgarian actress was able to hold her own on screen alongside a comedic legend like Sacha Baron Cohen, all while serving as the crux of the movie's emotional arc. However, the arduous task of never breaking character wasn't lost on Bakalova, as she endured many challenges throughout filming that would certainly intimidate even the most experienced of comedic actors.
Bakalova told Indiewire that one such challenge involved the Borat 2 writing team giving her a graphic monologue encompassing several pages where Tutar had to discuss her first masturbation experience in front of a Women Republicans gathering. Because English isn't her first language, Bakalova was particularly intimidated by both the length of the monologue and the fact that it would be performed without her confidant Cohen in the scene. Here's how Bakalova described the pivotal Borat 2 scene:
I was freaking out... I was not completely sure who Tutar was yet. I hadn’t established the character, Sacha wasn’t there, and I had been given this big monologue. Since I’m not fluent in English, I didn’t know what a lot of the words meant.
She eventually gained the courage to do the scene after hopping on a FaceTime call with Cohen, who remotely coached her through the challenge:
He said, ‘I see that you’re nervous. Use it.'... He encouraged me to go with it, and I’ll always be grateful.
Bakalova went on to note how several genius ideas from the Borat Subsequent Moviefilm writers ended up on the cutting room floor since the plot had to keep changing alongside the evolving pandemic and presidential campaign. One such scene involved Bakalova's Tutar taking a trip to the White House in an attempt to gain entry as a fake reporter. The efforts of the writing team and Sacha Baron Cohen ultimately launched Bakalova to overnight fame, with powerhouse Hollywood agency CAA even signing her on as a client in what surely indicates more high-profile roles in American films.
While they seem extremely fun to write, long monologues are among the most difficult scenes an actor can perform. Comedy monologues can prove even more difficult yet more rewarding, as the actors must deliver a clear message while also lengthily maintaining the comedic timing necessary to provide big laughs. Though her challenge was certainly not for the faint of heart, Bakalova boasted the unique ability to both hold her own scenes and provide the emotional arc of Borat 2, a challenge that solidifies her as a star whose performance will continue to be talked about in the months leading up to the Oscars.
Source: Indiewire