• Sweden edition

Church of Sweden in Brüno advert uproar

Published: 28 Jul 09 10:59 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20958/20090728/

The official Church of Sweden newspaper, Kyrkans Tidning, is at the centre of a storm of controversy after advertisers reacted to the depiction of scenes from UK comic Sacha Baron Cohen's new blockbuster movie Brüno.

The banner advert, which occupies a prominent position at the top of the weekly publication's home page features a half-naked, lederhosen-clad Cohen in his new role as gay Austrian fashion reporter, Brüno.

"A film for which we could not offer our support," Victor Poke of the Salvation Army in Sweden (Frälsningsarmén) explained to Christian website Världen idag on Monday.

"We will be in contact with the newspaper to point out that our logo shall in the future be used in a way that is in harmony with our values and beliefs."

Several other commercial partners of the Swedish Church-owned website have reacted with angry fervour over the advertisements with one describing their publication as a "catastrophe".

Kyrkans Tidning's editor Dag Tuvelius is aware of the criticism of the advert but does not consider it to be in breach of established policy.

"We will listen to them and will take it into consideration over future advertising. But we can not be responsible for every advert as it is not editorial material," he said to Världen Idag.

"We have a policy that means we do not accept adverts for alcohol, tobacco or is offensive. In this case it has been regarded as offensive by some people."

Peter Vinthagen Simpson (news@thelocal.se/+46 8 656 6518)

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15:19 July 28, 2009 by Nemesis
This is the usual religeous nonsense. The people from the satanic-christian-judeo-islamic belief sytems are against a sense of humour and people being entertained. They object to entertainment, because it cheers people up. They need everyone to be depressed, lacking in humour and not to think.

Bruno is a funny as hell film. I have not laughed as much in years, when I watched that film. It is one of the most politically incorrect films I have ever seen. I was still laughing afterwards with my friend at some of the things Bruno did in the film.

If you are a narrow minded bigot who is constantly searching for things to be offended by, you will walk out of the film.

if you are open minded with a dark/sarcastic sense of humour or like shows like Borat, Tripping the Rift, American Dad or Family Guy, you will love it.

A suggestion, go see the film and have a laugh.
15:37 July 28, 2009 by voiceofreason
Whoever the editor was, "Stupid" is his middle name.
15:56 July 28, 2009 by Britswedeguy
What Would Jesus Do?

Probably not withdraw advertising like a whiny little bitch.
18:57 July 28, 2009 by BillyB
If they are true Christians they will forgive the person who put the add in and they will forgive the film makers.

So no problem

The Lord works in mysterious ways...
19:48 July 28, 2009 by Dorset
The Swedish church should accept Brüno as new messiah, if they wish to reduce decline in tax money.
20:32 July 28, 2009 by dickdong
Victor Poke. What an unfortunate name in the circumstances!
20:32 July 28, 2009 by Eric Cantona
Is it only me that's mildy amused by the Church spokesman's name; Victor 'Poke' (snigger)

Reminds me of the lady who's always quoted about severe weather; Ms (First Name) Frost...
04:55 July 29, 2009 by Marley420
Nemesis, totally agree with you!

I also saw Bruno, and I never laughed so hard. It has been two weeks now, and I am still laughing...
09:13 July 29, 2009 by jack sprat
At first I thought this might be about Frank Bruno,(yu know wora mean like,arry),the giant, horizontal, ex heavyweight boxer.

However seems this guy is even funnier.
10:38 July 29, 2009 by SaltWater
Actually My Opinion is that this Movie is a Complete TRASH!!! But well, some people like trash.
11:24 July 29, 2009 by Plowbridge H. Broad
I also think that the film is totally crass. To humiliate unaware people with camp toilet humour is the lowest form of entertainment and devoid of intellect. I know there are some very funny bits in but it is no more than entertainment for the low IQers. How many looked forward to having a Big Mac afterwards and only because Lidl was shut? Still if we could bomb the cinema's while it was showing the gene pool of the world would be improved immediately.

I wouldn't have an advert of it displayed next to my business. It is more suitable for companies such as TL that thrive on rolling in trash like the corporate pig it is (non free-range variety). This thread is only here to incite the usual bashing of the church. At least the church has some standards.
11:42 July 29, 2009 by The Lix-a
Well most films pretty much suck these days and theres alot worse non brainer, no substance, money sucking in films of recent than Bruno im sure. You could say the same of plenty others you wouldnt want theyre advertising here and there.

But because a guy is half naked wearing lederhosen, huh? he dosent loook half naked to me.
10:09 August 3, 2009 by thinkmore
Well Plowbridge H. Broad, I will agree with you, at least the church has some standards. Many of the congregation however only seem to have double standards.

If Bruno is about anything, it is about acceptance, or the lack of it in American society... for sure there are plenty of gratuitous gay gags in there also...

I'm assuming from your comments that you are a churchgoer. How enlightening it is that your solution to the 'problem' of those less fortunate than yourself in, the IQ department at least, is to wipe them from the face of the earth with a bomb. Sound familiar?

Love thy neighbour... go on, give it a go. You might like it.

For the record, I am an atheist, but at least I am a humanist.
10:28 August 3, 2009 by Plowbridge H. Broad
You assume wrong monkey boy.
21:44 August 3, 2009 by conboy
This debate could make just about make any soul go banannas
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