© Universal Pictures

22. 07. 09. - 14:00

• more Business news
• RSS Feed Business

22. 07. 09. - 14:00

´Brüno´ lures Brits to Vienna

By Thomas Hochwarter

Britons are flooding to Vienna because of Sacha Baron Cohen’s hit comedy "Brüno", tourism bosses in Vienna have said.

Vienna tourism office director Norbert Kettner announced today (Weds) Vienna has seen 120 per cent more bookings from Britain since the film opened.

Kettner said: "I would like to say quite frankly: ‘Thank you, Brüno!’"

He added tourism chiefs in the Austrian capital were hoping the "Brüno effect" would make up for a drop of 20 per cent in bookings for the first half of this year.

Kettner said the financial crisis and the fall in value of the pound against the Euro was probably behind the dwindling numbers.

"Brüno", the latest film from British comedian Cohen, portrays a gay, xenophobic fashion reporter from Austria who moves to America to become famous after being sacked by his employer. Vienna itself however only appears for a few minutes – and scenes taking place in the city were shot in Paris.

The film has provoked mixed reactions in Austria. Earlier this week, an Innsbruck-based lawyer specialising in youth issues appealed to watchdogs to reverse their decision to allow "Brüno" to be seen by people aged 14.

Elisabeth Harasser said she wanted the movie to be x-rated, arguing: "The law for the protection of youngsters forbids the display of sexual acts that could endanger the moral and social development of children and teenagers."

And Emil Brix, future Austrian Ambassador in London, lambasted the film as "totally inappropriate."

Brix said he was worried about Austria’s reputation as its main character keeps linking Austria with the Nazi era.

The film itself has also failed to draw in the crowds. Latest figures show that more than three times as many Austrian cinema-goers went to see the new animated movie "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs."

Austrian Times

Related articles: business boom

1. Spanish Riding School honoured by UNESCO

   » Panorama 2010-03-12

   Vienna’s Spanish Riding School has been put on the list of Austrian immaterial cultural objects by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

2. Austrian architect set to build new ski jumps close to Sarajevo

   » Sports 2010-03-12

   An Austrian architect is going to design the ski-jumping facilities on Igman mountain close to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

3. Piatnik ahead of the game in 2009

   » Business 2010-03-12

   Playing card and board game producer Piatnik reported yesterday (Thurs) that it had had a five per cent increase in turnover year on year to 26 million Euros in 2009.

4. Kika's Czech subsidiary reports good results

   » Business 2010-03-12

   Austrian furniture chain kika/Leiner reported today (Thurs) that its Czech subsidiary kika Nabytek had enjoyed good results during its 2008/2009 business year (1 March to 28 February).

5. Hypo Vorarlberg has higher operating earnings

   » Business 2010-03-12

   Hypo Vorarlberg bank reported yesterday (Thurs) that its operating earnings had increased by 14.6 per cent year on year to 57.3 million Euros in 2009.

6. Austrian Peter Löscher named top-earning German company boss

   » Business 2010-03-12

   An Austrian has been named as the best paid CEO among German companies listed by the country’s stock market index DAX in "crisis year" 2009.

7. Job anxiety slowly ebbing

   » Business 2010-03-12

   Austrians’ anxiety about losing their jobs has been slowly ebbing, according to results of a new poll by Linz public-opinion research firm Spectra released today (Fri).

8. Blown-up explosives factory to reopen

   » Business 2010-03-12

   The Austin Powder GmbH emulsion explosives factory that blew up on 11 March 2008 is going to reopen this April, according to firm chief Wolfgang Schuster.

9. Bosnian minister calls for Austrian investments

   » Business 2010-03-12

   Bosnia-Herzegovina's Minister of Communications and Transport Rudo Vidovic has invited Austrian investors to play a bigger role in the Balkan country.

10. A-Tec is back in the black

    » Business 2010-03-11

    Austrian industrialist Mirko Kovats’ holding company A-Tec Industries reported yesterday (Weds) that it had climbed back into the black in 2009.

Related articles: Brüno mania

1. Majority unafraid of bad ´Brüno´ effect, poll shows

   » Panorama 2009-07-30

   The majority of Austrian Times readers think that Austrians do not need to worry about the new "Brüno" movie having a negative effect on the country’s image – because it has already been badly damaged.

2. ´Brüno´ lures Brits to Vienna

   » Business 2009-07-22

   Britons are flooding to Vienna because of Sacha Baron Cohen’s hit comedy "Brüno", tourism bosses in Vienna have said.

3. Lawyer wants ´Brüno´ movie x-rated

   » Panorama 2009-07-21

   An Austrian lawyer has started a campaign to have "Brüno" slapped with an x-rating.

4. Brüno stomped by dinosaurs in Austrian cinemas

   » Panorama 2009-07-20

   Austrian movie fans have snubbed the controversial new movie "Brüno" by Sacha Baron Cohen.

5. Austrian ´Real Brüno´ speaks out

   » Panorama 2009-07-15

   The Austrian fashion editor dubbed "the real Brüno" has spoken out for the first time about the effect his new found fame has had on his life.

6. Brüno star defends slur on Austria

   » Panorama 2009-07-10

   Cinemas last night opened their doors for what promises to be the most controversial international film to hit Austria in an age, if the hype is to be believed.

7. Future British Ambassador blasts ´Brüno´

   » Panorama 2009-07-07

   Austria’s next UK Ambassador has launched a stinging attack on Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film "Brüno".

8. ´Austrian Brüno´ to play drag queen

   » Panorama 2009-06-16

   The Austrian entertainer labelled "real-life Brüno" is returning to play the role of a drag queen.

9. Alfons Haider compared with Cohen´s gay fashion expert ´Brüno´

   » Panorama 2009-05-18

   The UK media are comparing Austrian TV presenter Alfons Haider with the quirky film character Brüno as Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie is set for release next month.

'Sudoku Day' in Vienna this Sunday
Around 1,500 people are expected to take part in Sunday’s "Sudoku Day" competition in Vienna.

Bosnian minister calls for Austrian investments
Bosnia-Herzegovina's Minister of Communications and Transport Rudo Vidovic has invited Austrian investors to play a bigger role in the Balkan country.

Vienna to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with cultural festival
Vienna will celebrate the 17 March St. Patrick’s Day this year with a 20 March parade on the Ringstraße and eight cultural events from 13 to 24 March, it was announced today (Fri).

Salzburg flight school is bankrupt
Salzburg flight school Flight Track Trainings GmbH entered bankruptcy proceedings today (Fri), the Alpine Land Creditors Association (AKV) reported.

Robber fails to be taken seriously
A 29-year-old drunk became a laughing stock after failing to rob a Spar supermarket and a Bank Austria (BA) branch yesterday (Thurs) afternoon, police said.

Austrian Peter Löscher named top-earning German company boss
An Austrian has been named as the best paid CEO among German companies listed by the country’s stock market index DAX in "crisis year" 2009.

Job anxiety slowly ebbing
Austrians’ anxiety about losing their jobs has been slowly ebbing, according to results of a new poll by Linz public-opinion research firm Spectra released today (Fri).

Blown-up explosives factory to reopen
The Austin Powder GmbH emulsion explosives factory that blew up on 11 March 2008 is going to reopen this April, according to firm chief Wolfgang Schuster.

Nurse goes loopy at Linz General Hospital
A nurse ran amok yesterday (Thurs) at Linz General Hospital (AKH), attacking her instructor after failing a further education course for the third consecutive time, police said.

Car fuel prices lower than the EU average
The prices of petrol and diesel-fuel in Austria are lower than the EU average, the Economics Ministry said today (Fri).