[Sarafan]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/06/european-commission-criticised-racist-ad

The European commission has been forced to withdraw a high-budget video promoting the EU amid accusations that it depicts other cultures in a racist manner.

A row broke out after the enlargement directorate of the European commission, which is responsible for the expansion of the EU, released a video clip that was designed to appeal to young voters.

The video, entitled Growing Together, features a white woman dressed in yellow – the colour of the stars of the EU – walking calmly through a warehouse. As a gong sounds, she looks behind her as an aggressive Chinese-looking man shouting kung fu slogans jumps down in the style of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

As he moves towards her, an Indian-looking man in traditional dress wielding a knife levitates towards her. He is a master of kalaripayattu, a martial art from the southern Indian state of Kerala. As she deals with him, a black man with dreadlocks cartwheels towards her in the style of capoeira, the Brazilian martial art.

The woman stares at the men. She then multiplies herself to form a circle around the men who drop their weapons and sit down. The woman's yellow outfit then turns into the stars of the EU.

The video shows the words: "The more we are, the stronger we are." It then says: "Click here to learn more about EU enlargement."

Raoul Ruparel, of Open Europe, said: "This was an ill-advised move by the European commission. It is strange because normally there is something of the Kum Ba Yah about the commission. But it has produced a video which shows a white female being threatened by foreign men with weapons. This is in dubious taste and judgment.

"We also question whether it was necessary to produce the video in the first place. We are in favour of EU enlargement but we are not sure that making viral videos is the best way to go about that."

Stefano Sannino, the director general of the enlargement division of the European commission, said: "We have received a lot of feedback on our latest video clip, including from people concerned about the message it was sending. It was a viral clip targeting, through social networks and new media, a young audience (16-24) who understand the plots and themes of martial arts films and video games. The reactions of these target audiences to the clip have in fact been positive, as had those of the focus groups on whom the concept had been tested.

"The clip featured typical characters for the martial arts genre: kung fu, capoeira and kalaripayattu masters; it started with demonstration of their skills and ended with all characters showing their mutual respect, concluding in a position of peace and harmony. The genre was chosen to attract young people and to raise their curiosity on an important EU policy. The clip was absolutely not intended to be racist and we obviously regret that it has been perceived in this way. We apologise to anyone who may have felt offended. Given these controversies, we have decided to stop the campaign immediately and to withdraw the video."

*facepalm*

The video is just ridiculous. If you want to enlarge the EU (dont know why you would want to do it right now) and especially reach out to "young audiences" there are so many better ways to do it than 3 stereotypes trying to fight a woman in a warehouse.

[redsniper]

See, all they had to do is throw in a Spetsnaz commando doing a backflipping hatchet attack and then you'd have all the "enemies of the West" covered, including the white ones, so then it wouldn't be racist. That was what they were going for right? Europeans gotta band together against China, India, and South America or something? I guess you'd have to throw in a middle easterner to be fair too, though they're in the public consciousness enough already...

[el_magnifico]

As she deals with him, a black man with dreadlocks cartwheels towards her in the style of capoeira, the Brazilian martial art.

Why is the EU worried about Latin American countries? As far as I know, at least here in South America, we're currently too busy with our own businesses in Asia, Africa, and our own block. Europe doesn't look like a place where we can expand economically right now.

It seems to me the best way to promote your block is to raise awareness of the positive things you have achieved together, not to make people feel afraid that other countries are doing well. Actually, that could apply to pretty much any enterprise in life.

"We also question whether it was necessary to produce the video in the first place. We are in favour of EU enlargement but we are not sure that making viral videos is the best way to go about that."

I beg to differ. If you want to appeal to the young adult population then a viral video may be just what you need. Just make a better one.

P.S.: I didn't watch the video. The player was buggy and wouldn't load the full movie.

Edit: fixed a grammar mistake.

[Mongoose]

That video is hilarious, and capoeira is awesome.  That's pretty much what I get out of this.

[StarSlayer]

That was the most ridiculous thing I've seen in a while.

[Mika]

Allright, how much of my tax money has been spent filming that clip? I want it back!

Besides, what's the point of expanding EU now? That's just asking for more trouble!

I do like the subliminal messaging of China, Arab league and South America starting to pose demands on EU.

[castor]

Damn clowns.. Couldn't be a more obvious fail.

[el_magnifico]

Alright, now I watched the video. It wasn't so much offensive as it was ridiculous and pointless, since the EU is hardly in a position to represent a threat to anyone's interests at the moment. This actually wouldn't be viral worthy were it not for the unwarranted drama.

I do like the subliminal messaging of China, Arab league and South America starting to pose demands on EU.

Since when have we been "posing demands" to the European Union, or anyone else for that matter?
Is the presence of India supposed to represent the Arab league, or just India? I thought they were only observers in that block.

Damn clowns.. Couldn't be a more obvious fail.

Actually, it did got attention. As the saying goes, "there's no such thing as bad publicity". I'd say the fact we're discussing it is a sign that it somehow succeeded, even if it failed to wholly fulfil expectations.

[General Battuta]

i really enjoy this video and its implications

the european union: if we don't learn mitosis, we're going to be gang raped

[Flipside]

This is what happens when you outsource your video promotion work...

[Al-Rik]

Next fail after Capitan Euro 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Euro

[Dragon]

Heh. EU is getting sillier and sillier. Not to mention bankrupt. 
Considering what's happening with it's economy, it's no wonder they have to do their promotional vids on a shoestring budget, using scenarios made by students.

[headdie]

The last thing the EU needs at the moment is more members, it's deadlocked most of the time anyway! not to mention the lol fail they keep producing

[el_magnifico]

This is what happens when you outsource your video promotion work...

Because we Freespace fans don't even know what that is like...

 

[Mika]

Since when have we been "posing demands" to the European Union, or anyone else for that matter?
Is the presence of India supposed to represent the Arab league, or just India? I thought they were only observers in that block.

Ummm, the point is that nowadays these countries could, which is shown as well in the video. But, what they did not say is that EU itself ****ed things up so that this is now possible.

Ooooh, and Captain Euro! I had completely forgotten that!

Hint to anyone following the European financial crisis: try to think on how to capitalize on the likely event of euro break-up. I found out that by betting against European Union staying afloat (there are ways to do this) I can at least stand for a personal gain and take life a little bit easier and be happier. And on the unlikely event that they manage to keep it afloat after all, I made sure I wont be losing too much. I discovered this to be the best medicine against depression coming from the financial stupidities and the resulting bleak future. At least I can now watch politicians ****ing economy up with a big grin 

Isn't it ironical that I'm now more like the villain of Captain Euro? Welcome the wonders of the euro zone!

[samiam]

i really enjoy this video and its implications

the european union: if we don't learn mitosis, we're going to be gang raped

Well since one's impossible, I guess it's gang rape for us!

Very interesting to note that George Bush wasn't busting any moves, since he would be the one piss off the EU if any.

I thought the video was entertaining, and a jolly work of pan-Caucasian nationalism. Like half of all marketing campaigns it was made to create controversy and draw attention to itself, but in this case it kind of gets the facts wrong since Europe won't be white anymore by the time those countries are strong enough to challenge it.

[Bobboau]

I like the basic premise of the video, that numerical superiority is important... against China and India...

[Mongoose]

Seriously, most Caucasian European birthrates are going the way of Japan.

[Al-Rik]

The last thing the EU needs at the moment is more members, it's deadlocked most of the time anyway! not to mention the lol fail they keep producing

More members aren't needed at the moment, that's right. Because no one wants to discuss which way the EU should take:
A loose Federation or a Union.
Sounds familiar to the Americans from the United Staates, right ?

Time for the Europeans to read the Federalist Papers...
But while most Europeans would tell what the USA needs a strong Central Government and a centralized Social Security System, it would be the last what they wish for the EU

A more realistic view of the future would be a more bilateral approach to European Integration instead of new members.
The Swiss Confederation isn't part of the EU, but has negotiated to participate in some Areas with and from the EU. Mainly in the sector of free trade.
Geographically the EU doesn't need no new members after Serbia. With removing of border procedures travel and commerce with Eastern Europe would be a lot easier if Serbia would become a member of the EU or at least a member of the Trade Union.