LONDON, England (Hollywood Reporter) -- Kazakhs are rushing to
order Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat" on DVD from Amazon.co.uk, the
online giant said.
"Borat" topped the order list from consumers in the former Soviet
republic last week, according to Amazon head of media Rakhi
Parekh.
"With the controversy the film caused around the world, it seems
residents of Kazakhstan are now desperate to see what all the fuss
is about -- so much so that they are willing to pay the 505
Kazakhstani tenge ($4) charge to have the DVD delivered from the
U.K.," Parekh said Friday. (The film was released in the United
States on DVD last Tuesday.)
Kazakhs also appear to have developed a healthy interest in
capitalism and the United States, according to the top 10 product
orders from Amazon.co.uk. The top-selling book is "Leading at a
Higher Level: Blanchard on How to Be a High Performing Leader."
Other titles on investment strategies and offshore tax planning
suggest that locals are looking to add to the country's current
list of six registered millionaires.
The U.S. influence on life in Kazakhstan also can be seen with
"Celebrating the American Home: 50 Great Houses From 50 American
Architects" on the chart, while the U.S. cult of the body beautiful
is filtering through to Kazakh men, who are snapping up Men's
Health fitness titles.
Musically, "The Very Best of Sting and the Police" is the
top-selling album being shipped to Kazakhstan.
