The Borat movie has been banned in Russia because the film pokes fun at Kazakhstan.

The film stars Sacha Baron Cohen as a spoof reporter on a trip to the US.

Russia's culture ministry say they will not provide a distribution licence for the movie because the film could potentially humiliate different ethnic groups and religions.

Some reviewers have described it as "hysterical" and "the funniest film of the year" while others have called the film deeply offensive.

One Kazakh diplomat says that the depiction of his country as violent, primitive and oppressive bears no resemblance to reality, reports the BBC.

The film is currently top of the US and UK box office.

Source: Press Release