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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.

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Austrian Times

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