Russia advises theatres to shun Borat film

Russia's culture agency refuted claims on Thursday thatit had banned British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat movie, though it did admit to advising movie theatresnot to show the controversial comedy.

Earlier on Thursday reports said the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography would refuse to grant permission to distribute the film, whichstars Cohenasthe racist, homophobic, sex-crazed Kazakh journalist first popularized on his Da Ali G Show.

Vadim Ivanov, theatrical sales director at Twentieth Century Fox C.I.S., said the agency was worried the film would offend viewers and contained material that "might seem disparaging in relation to certain ethnic groups and religions."

The distributor said the agency had denied rights to show the film butthe decision wasn't final.

"This story is not over," said Ivanov.

But the culture agency disputed this report, telling Russia's RIA-Novosti news agency they had only offered advice to theatre owners not to play it.

"The distributor has never applied for a distribution licence, but the Department for Cinematography has recommended to refrain from distribution," Yuri Vasyuchkov of the agency told RIA.

The issue of censorship in Russia is a touchy one, as critics of President Vladimir Putin's government have accused it of restricting freedoms.

Russia also has close political ties with Kazakhstan, the nation portrayed by Cohen's Borat character as populated by people who drink horse urine, shoot dogs and hold "running of the Jew" festivals. Many Kazakhs also live and work in Russia.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan was the No. 1 film in North America last weekend and opened at No. 1 in 11 other nations this week.

The film was scheduled to be released in Russia on Nov. 30.