Borat has notched up another box-office record by becoming the first film to be banned from cinemas in Russia since the collapse of communism.

The state film authority announced yesterday that it would refuse a cinema licence for Sacha Baron Cohen’s movie Borat: Cultural Learnings of America Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

It had been due to open in 300 cinemas across Russia on November 30. But Yuri Vasyuchkov, head of film licensing at the Federal Culture and Cinematography Agency, said that the film contravened regulations barring abuse of ethnic and religious groups.

“The distributor asked us informally to look at the film and to give our opinion about whether it would be licensed. Our view was that the material could be offensive to various nationalities and religions,” he said. “We advised them not to apply, but it is only a recommendation at present. It is up to them whether to apply formally for a licence or not.”

Mr Vashyuchkov said that he could not remember another film, either Russian or foreign, that had been refused a licence since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Borat cannot be screened in Russian cinemas without one.

The distributor, Gemini Film, said that it had decided against applying for a cinema licence. Borat would be made available in Russia only on DVD.

Michael Schlicht, Gemini’s managing director, said: “We are not releasing the film in Russia and we are not going to comment on the Ministry of Culture’s view. Their recommendation was part of our decision to withdraw it, but not the main reason.”

Gemini also has distribution rights in Kazakhstan but Borat will not be seen there either. Mr Schlicht said: “We don’t see an audience for it.” Baron Cohen has provoked outrage in Kazakhstan by presenting it as a place where fermented horse urine is the national drink and women must ride on the outside of buses.

Russia’s attitude came as a surprise. Soviet censors routinely banned Western films, but Russian cinemas have been allowed to screen almost anything in the past 15 years.

Explore Economics

• Pre-Budget Report 2008

• Budget 2009

• World Economic Forum

• The Times MPC

Times Recommends

• C&G axed - 1,660 jobs to be lost
• UK house prices rise 1.1% as buyers return
• Mixed reaction to US banks repaying bailouts