• croatiantimes.com
• romaniantimes.at
• salzburgtimes.at
• viennatimes.at
• austrianindependent.com

Today

• Vienna - VESCC English Catholic Mass
• Vienna - Unknown Underground
• Vienna - Cats
• Vienna - Andy Warhol
• Vienna - Laser Tag

© www.thebrunomovie.com

30. 07. 09. - 15:00

• more Panorama news
• RSS Feed Panorama

30. 07. 09. - 15:00

Majority unafraid of bad ´Brüno´ effect, poll shows

By Thomas Hochwarter

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.

Almost six in ten readers (58.6 per cent), who took part in the most recent poll conducted by the news platform, said there was no need to worry – because the country’s reputation has already been hurt by more serious scandals.

Recent crimes like the incest case of Amstetten or the kidnap story of Natascha Kampusch – not to mention the country’s Nazi past – have hurt Austria’s image.

But 24.5 per cent of readers said "people should relax" as the comedy by Sacha Baron Cohen was "just lots of fun."

The group opting for the answer option "I don’t know and I am not interested in this pointless debate" came third with 11.3 per cent, followed by the 5.6 per cent who thought "the film could really tarnish the country’s reputation."

"Brüno" has arguably had a large effect on at least Austria’s media. While tabloid newspapers speculated which domestic VIP could have been a role model or at least inspiration when the main character – a gay, rude fashion reporter from Klagenfurt – was created, a rant by Austria’s future Ambassador in London hit the headlines as well.

Emil Brix said he was worried about Austria’s reputation as "Brüno" keeps linking the country with the Nazi era. Brix said he found the movie "totally inappropriate" and appealed to people to "stand up against it."

Considering the massive media attention, the movie performed rather disappointingly in Austria as far as visitor figures are concerned. "Brüno" trailed behind "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

But Vienna’s tourism chiefs have welcomed one of the more positive effects caused by the controversial comedy. Norbert Kettner, head of Austria’s tourism office, said the city has registered 120 per cent more bookings from Britain since the film opened while overall numbers for visitors from abroad dwindled.

- - -

The new Austrian Times poll is asking who is the best Austrian footballer of the past five years. Contribute to give your point of view!

Austrian Times

Related articles: quirky Austria

1. Anti-truancy official for Vienna

   » General News 2012-03-23

   Horst Tschaikner has been named head of Vienna’s new anti-truancy office.

2. Dog days for clumsy Arnautovic

   » Sports 2012-03-09

   Werder Bremen star Marko Arnautovic will be sidelined for more than a month after injuring his knee while playing with his dog.

3. Unanimous praise for State Opera Ball

   » Panorama 2012-02-17

   Political leaders and showbiz stars had only kind words about last night’s (Thurs) Opera Ball.

more related articles tagged "quirky Austria"

Related articles: Brüno mania

1. Austrian version of 'Strictly Come Dancing' to have male couple

   » Panorama 2011-01-12

   An Austrian entertainer tagged as having been Sacha Baron Cohen’s inspiration to create gay fashion journalist Brüno will compete in this year’s "Dancing Stars" show – with a man as his partner.

2. 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.

3. ´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.

more related articles tagged "Brüno mania"

Turks flattened by lone asylum seeker
A furious Nigerian went on the rampage at a refuge for asylum seekers in Leibnitz, attacking several people and damaging property.

Woman bites toddler
A woman who bit a two-year-old tot during a road rage row with her mother is being quizzed by police in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

New Dany Boon comedy to be filmed in Austria
The French film star Dany Boon, one of the highest paid actors in Europe after his hit film "Welcome to the Sticks", is filming in Salzburg.

China meets Hallstatt
After a long time of speculation and anticipation the exact copy of Austrian world heritage village of Hallstatt-Dachstein in China will be unveiled, and there will be real-life Austrians present for the ceremony.

Skier in court after accident
A man from Graz is in court today accused of having inflicted negligent injury upon a five-year-old when skiing in Carinthia last year.

Two fires in Ottakring claim one life
Two fires started on Thursday evening in the Vienna district of Ottakring, one of which claimed a man’s life. Several people were evacuated as a result of the two blazes.

Cows zapped to death by lightning
Four cows were zapped to death after a lightning strike hit the barbed wire fence they were leaning on in Reith im Alpbachtal, Austria.

Wolf babies born in Schönbrunn
These cuddly Artic wolf cubs have got every right to look a bit frosty - after they emerged into the world for the first time in the middle of a 27 degree heatwave.

Cleaned Out
A Hungarian cleaning woman who stole tens of thousands of pounds worth of antique jewellery from an Austrian Countess and then sold it for "pocket money" unaware of its real value has been jailed by a court in Austria.

Great expectations for summer tourism season in Vorarlberg
The Vorarlberg tourism industry is currently riding high after a record breaking winter season, and the summer season is expected to follow that same trend.

Jobs in Austria