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15. 07. 09. - 12:00

Austrian ´Real Brüno´ speaks out

By Thomas Hochwarter

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.

Adi Weiss, chief fashion editor of Austrian newspaper "Österreich" and its weekend lifestyle supplement "Madonna", says his decision to react to claims he was the role model for the controversial comedy character by writing a satirical column "backfired."

Speaking to Austrian Times, Weiss says: "When (ATV reporter) Dominic Heinzl claimed me – and not (ORF presenter) Alfons Haider – who inspired Sacha Baron Cohen, I just had to laugh.

"I reacted by writing a satirical column in which I admitted ‘Yes, it is me!’, adding I was really happy about the new attention as this can only be a good thing for the show in which I am playing a drag queen – which is all, needless to say, totally made up.

"And only a few days later, (London’s) Evening Standard claimed I was chased by paparazzi down the roads in Vienna, adding I must be happy about my new fame! I tried to take the wind out of the sails but it obviously backfired!"

Weiss says he is not afraid of any stalkers or paparazzi, saying: "People in Vienna know me anyway, and I’m not very often in London or New York."

Asked about whether he thinks Cohen really studied him and his life for the character which first appeared in the "Ali G. Show", aired by Channel 4 from 2000, he says laughing: "This obscure theory is the best proof that Brüno is a fictional character – I don’t want to think about what I was like back then!"

Weiss says: "It is so obvious Cohen picked a country like Austria – it would not be that interesting if his character was from Milan or Paris. And the fact Cohen does not reveal whether there is a role model is just proof of what a clever businessman he is."

Weiss, who claims to have not seen the film yet because he is busy with new projects, finds Cohen’s marketing stunts "unbelievably amazing."

"He is a master of putting focus on what he does. All the fuss and controversy – that’s exactly what people want," he beams.

Reacting to rumours a real-life documentary on the "Real Austrian Brüno" is being made, he says: "I wouldn’t mind if someone portrayed me how I really am – I’m just afraid no one would find it that interesting when it is revealed I sometimes like to stay in and watch TV instead of attending a trendy event.

"And it wouldn’t be much more exciting either to show me going into the office in the morning to work all day," he adds.

Weiss says he is looking forward to projects with his new company "Weiss & Lameraner Media Group", a fashion media consulting group.

He reveals: "We are doing fashion lines and a pocket-sized fashion guide which will be released in September."

And asked what he thinks about the public outrage sparked by Brüno claiming he wants to be the "most famous Austrian since Hitler", Weiss says: "I think people should act relaxed about all the controversy – it is not that bad and purely satirical. He just plays with clichés.

"There is quite an outspoken comedy scene in Austria as well which focuses on many sensitive issues, so let’s be cool about what Brüno is doing."

Austrian Times

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