My Manifesto: The Incoherent Ramblings of a Madman

Ah Borat, Borat, Borat.....I can't wait for the movie! :)

'People's lives have been ruined by his comedy'

From Roma villagers to etiquette coaches - the victims bite back

Linda Stein Artist and feminist

In the film Borat goads her into storming off by telling her that women must walk behind men in his country and asking how he can contact Pamela Anderson. Stein boots Borat out.

She now says "He was very, very clever in the way he warmed up to his outrageous behaviour. At no point did I feel that there was an actor in the room."

Action "I'm keeping my options open," she says. "Sacha Baron Cohen should buy one of my sculptures. He owes me one."

Nicolae Todorache and Spiridom Ciorebea Villagers, Glod, Romania

In the film Todorache, who has lost an arm in an accident, was filmed with a rubber sex toy attached to the stump. Ciorebea played the "village mechanic and abortionist".

Todorache now says "Our region is very poor, and everyone is trying hard to get out of this misery. It is outrageous to exploit people's misfortune like this - to laugh at them."

Action A $30m (£15.5m) lawsuit has been filed in Manhattan's federal court.

College students Known only as John Doe One and John Doe Two

In the film On a road trip, the frat boys from South Carolina University give Borat a lift. Shown drinking together, they are contemptuous of women and tell Borat that America is ruled by minorities. They also show him the sex video Pamela Anderson made with Tommy Lee.

They now say The film caused them "mental anguish, humiliation, physical and emotional distress and loss of reputation".

Action They are suing for fraud, breach of contract, invasion of privacy and distress. A spokesman for Twentieth Century Fox has said the legal action "has no merit".

Dharma Arthur TV producer

In the film Borat appears on the lunchtime news show on the WAPT network in Jackson, Mississippi. Anchorman Brad McMullan gamely struggles to rein in Borat, who then interrupts a live weather forecast, causing the weatherman to laugh hysterically. Arthur was the producer.

She now says "Because of him, my boss lost faith in my abilities and second-guessed everything I did thereafter," she wrote in Newsweek. "I spiralled into depression, and before I could recover, I was released from my contract early. It took me three months to find another job ... How upsetting that a man who leaves so much harm in his path is lauded as a comedic genius."

Action None so far.

Bobby Rowe Rodeo manager, Tennessee

In the film Rowe is filmed venting prejudice against homosexuals and Muslims. Borat addresses the rodeo crowd, offering support for George Bush's "War of Terror". His calls for Iraq to be bombed "so only the lizards survive" are cheered; his rendition of the Kazakh national anthem to the tune of the Star-Spangled Banner is booed.

He now says "I got out there [when Borat sang the anthem]," Rowe told Newsweek, "and I say, 'Get the hell outta this dadgum building! Half the sumbucks in there are probably packin' heat, and they'll put you in front of the firing squad.' Boy, they got in their trucks and hauled boogie."

Action None.

Patrick Haggerty Public speaking and humour coach

In the film In a tutorial on American humour, Borat talks about his "retard" brother and tells a few popular Kazakh jokes, such as the one about having sex with your mother-in-law.

He now says "I think he's a comic genius. About 15 or 20 minutes into the filming I really started to smell a rat. I went up to the director and I said 'Why don't you let me in on the gag? I know there's a gag'. He said 'No, no, no, no, you misunderstand. You're doing fine. This guy needs your help'."

Action As a humour coach, Haggerty probably cannot afford to have a sense of humour failure over his appearance in Borat.

Joe Behar Bed and breakfast owner

In the film Borat is shown throwing money at computer-generated cockroaches in the bedroom, saying they are the Jewish couple who have changed shapes and become insects.

He now says "The director said I was a good actor. If they want to be equitable about it, though, I think they should compensate everyone involved in a more decent way."

Action None.

Sally Speaker Guest at Magnolia Springs Manor in Helena, Alabama

In the film Borat asks Presbyterian minister Cary Speaker whether another guest is his wife. Mr Speaker replies: "No, that is my wife", pointing at Sally. Borat says: "In my country they would go crazy for these two," pointing at the hostess Cindy Streit and Sarah Moseley. Pointing at Mrs Speaker, he says, "You ... not so much."

She now says "Lives have been ruined by his comedy. I realise some people will watch the movie and find it funny, but for the people who were duped into appearing, what happened was anything but humorous."

Action No plans to sue.

Cindy Streit Etiquette coach and host of Magnolia Springs Manor dinner party

In the film Borat gives her a bag of excrement after a visit to the bathroom. She shows him how to flush it down the toilet. He is asked to leave when he invites a black prostitute - played by an actress - to the dinner.

She now says She claims that her business, Etiquette Training Services, has been ruined.

Action Has asked California's attorney general to investigate possible violations of the Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Patrick Barkham