Natalie Portman and Russell Crowe promote Poland

Natalie Portman and Russell Crowe promote Poland

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski actively promotes Poland in the world. Thus, in addition to the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the promotion of Poland as tourism brand will participate Hollywood stars. In the recent promo video about Poland appeared Natalie Portman, Russell Crowe, Robert Redford and other Hollywood stars.

The video was posted on Youtube and has already collected over 170 000 views.12-minute story with Hollywood stars can be regarded as indirect advertising of a six-month presidency of Poland in the European Union.

In the clip were used archival videos, where celebrities mention Poland in their interviews. In particular, Natalie Portman says about her Polish roots. Supermodel Linda Evangelista also mentions Polish ancestors.

American actor and founder of the Sundance independent film festival Robert Redford talks about his deep impression of the Polish anti-communist uprisings that took place in Poland in the 1980s and which eventually led to the collapse of the pro-Soviet government in Poland.

"Gladiator" and "Robin Hood" films star - Russell Crowe remembered not political events, but his little adventure in Poznan, when the actor was hit by heavy snowfall while cycling along the city.

Anyway, the initiative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland was criticized by the main opponents of the government - representatives of the Law and Justice party. In their opinion, the movie is incorrect, because in it was used montage of the interviews of different times. The opposition points out that Hollywood stars were not told that their interviews will be used to advertise a six-month presidency of Poland.

Either way, the Polish tourism will gain popularity from such advertising, no matter which of the Polish parties is right. It is worth noting that this is not the first attempt to promote Poland in the world market by advertising tools. Thus, in France, Poland conducted an advertising campaign to invite the French into the country using the image of the Polish plumber. At that time (2005) in France were strong fears that cheap labor from Poland will take over the job market in the western part of the EU. Poland has played on these phobias using the image of the Polish plumber as an advertisement for an invitation to visit the country.

Ilya Kalachev

Date: 18/09/2011