Controversy Brews Anew Over Koff “Indian” Beer Ads
The always interesting Blue Corn Comics by Rob Schmidt has recently come across a TV ad for Koff “Indian” Beer (a Carlsberg product) that Schmidt believes “emphasizes the uncomfortable connection between Indians and alcohol.” See for yourself:
Huh. You don’t see that very often: teepee-as-nightclub.
Here’s another spot in the series, which I believe came out in 2007:
I have never seen such ads in Canada, and something tells me I never will. Despite its potential for controversy, though, this is the first I’ve heard of this American Finnish-made beer or this campaign. Was that still pre-Web 2.0? Otherwise, it’s hard to imagine this not going viral.
(Thanks too to Nadya Kwandibens for flagging this ad.)
UPDATE: Reportedly, the commercial is only run in Switzerland; this makes sense as to why it is less known in North America.
What do others think? Vote now in our first ever, thirst-quenching but not too filling, mediaINDIGENA Poll!
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One of the actors who appears in the commercial, Rick Mora, attempted to defend his participation on Youtube in 2007:
“I must say for all those who express so much discontent for this commercial, please consider this thought…Alcoholism chooses no race. All mankind is affected by this disease…Red,black,white,yellow!! Second, There used to be a time when they used the white man to play native talent and this commercial involved very famous native actors who all struggle for the few jobs a year that surface. Its a tough choice…Feast or Famine”
Either way, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter who's dressed up as a beer drinking Native American, I think it's offensive.
Anyone know which ad agency made the commercial?
Wow!!! This is so outrageous bad! Like…to reply to who ever below said that alcohol does not discriminate color? Sweetheart? Our entire culture, existance and land was completely taken down…with the introduction of Alcohol.
Should I remind you and bring you down…history lane and throw pictures up of commercial genocide? Yes…I laughed when the actor burst into the Teepee and all. But then advertising beer in that time periode…yo…like that was the very poisen that killed our people. Like throwing cans of bug spray out in a field…the colonizers came walzting in. what were these actors thinking? that it was funny?
The over bad uhg acting was funny…but it doesn't help us in our politcal arena.
We can't afford to portray ourselves like minstrell shows….which all those images are big…in finnland and Scandanavia. the fascination with the Native race is so over romantisized…that maybe the actors thought having a sense of humor would break the chain. but all this does is make us look weak. It was a bad choice!
Please rethink how you carry not only yourself…but you carry all of us. Your voice is our voice. Lift your people high…not down and hard up for a hit of crack!!! That's what it's worth…consenting to these commercials and roles like this.
You can do better!! Honor us…please!!
It is also VERY CLEAR that racism know no colour. It is excruciatingly clear that you are one white sheet, one black face away from being pulled off thei air. However, Mr. Mora, Indians are still fair game in that sense. That too is painfully clear. Lil Red Sambo is still allowed to live and breathe. It leaves a gapping souless hole to make commercials such as these. What you have done puts you right up there with those who proudfully perform the drunken Tommy-Hawk chop at games. What you have done glares at us with the stink and glitz of the money behind the Red Skins and a plethora of other teams, businesses and object sold on our backs, our souls. Except this time is worse. WE are doing it to US. We are soul sucking our people. You and every person in these commercials needs to grow a backbone and replace your ego with it. There are too many ways to make money to eat and live to excuse involvement in such tawdry, ugly advertisements for racism and the degradation of entire nations. It terrifies me that another Indigenous person can make ANY attempts to rationalize this overt and very hateful racism.
The really sad part is that our own (the actors) would allow themselves to continually be cast in these roles — are they really that poor as actors that they don't have books, TVs or computers to keep up with the goings of the rest of the world? This fight against stereotypes in film and TV has been going on since the 70's…as if they haven't heard any sort of rumbling of it — or are actors just that desperate for attention?
they should serve it at the imaginative festival or the AFN annual meeting – time to change brands
this CARLSBERG is the face of the ugly ,immoral , insensitive , unethical , racist , individualist, commercial capitalism – the business of business $$$$ the guideline . The intent to mock, belittle and stereotype my native sisters and brothers . I am deeply offended , angry and want- CARLSBERG BOYCOTTED until they apologize and pay reparations
Not only is this poor filmmaking it also tells all the wrong things, why try to defend what is utter crap. The writing is the worst, it wasn't funny not only because the racism but it's nothing but lazy, writing it wouldn't even have been funny if it were monkies. As an actor I would have been happy to walk away from this, the truth of not enough rolls for Native actors may be alive but things are changing and you need to be able to have morals if you want to break the stereotype all of them for that matter. Anyone could have made a better commercial I feel it to be such an an amateur approach to our people, if the writer or director are First Peoples then they need to get a higher education in our people and if they are not then this is just typical and shame on anyone who would be apart of such a production, especially the actors you can be better than that. My name may not be out there as far as i wish it to be but I still always stick to my morals, I have let two BIG productions down because I would not and WILL not subject woman in hip op music videos I could have used the money but my morals and future to my children are far more important then getting a little bit of money to send the wrong messages.
** MONKEYS!! Bad keyboard.
Nevermind: I answered my own question.
Company: BOB HELSINKI, SWEDEN, Stockholm
Copywriter: Pertti Pallijeff
Art Director: JON GRANSTROM
Agency Producer: Mary Lee Sjonell/Copeland
Account Supervisor:
Petteri Laurikainen (Strategic Planning)/Teija Järvinen (Account Director)
Director: AXEL LAUBSCHER
http://www.advertolog.com/koff-indian-beer/adve…
Nevermind: I answered my own question.
– – – – – – –
Company:
BOB HELSINKI, SWEDEN, Stockholm
http://www.bobhelsinki.fi/tag/english
Source:
http://www.advertolog.com/koff-indian-beer/adve…
Nevermind: I answered my own question.
– – – – – – –
Company:
BOB HELSINKI, SWEDEN, Stockholm
http://www.bobhelsinki.fi/tag/english
Source:
http://www.advertolog.com
Also involved in the ads' production was the Swedish company, “Social Club.”
Odengatan 81, Stockholm, 113 22, Sweden
T : +46 8 5070 3770
F : +46 8 319666
M : +46 706 306644
E : info@socialclub.se
W: http://www.socialclub.se
First off, we as Native Americans don't use the term “Indians”, we are Native American and Los Angeles is the Entertainment Capitol of the World. Don't hate the Player, hate the game. These ACTORS are PROFESSIONAL NATIVE ACTORS who have followed their dreams to make it in Hollywood where only the most dilligent people can call home as a working actor. It's about time REAL NATIVES are being booked to do the job. This boy-cot is rediculous as this product will never be sold outside of the Swiss market and will never air outside of Europe. We all should be PROUD that REAL NATIVES are finally being seen rather than those wanna-bes' that we all have seen in the past. Last, It is my opinion that the people who are protesting this and mascot isssues are just Indins' with identity issues (Library Book Natives) who have nothing better to do than to dwell on others success to shroud their own reluctance to seize opportunitites that are put before them that will further their life goals. People like Columpa C. Bobb, and Nadya Kwandibens are just jaded squirrels looking for their next nut to try and get their 15minutes of fame off others in their field to have a sence of self worth. If these accusers are anybody in the Industry why are they not in Hollywood? Because they could not make it. It takes a lot to leave the Rez and walk in both worlds, and a GOOD actor knows that this kind of “Bashing Campaign” is nothing more than a vehicle to boost the jaded egos of some washed up “so-called” artists. Maybe I would consider your protests if I didnt get the feeling you were a nobody because I have never heard of you and I am from Canada now living in Hollywood for over 6 years now. Living down here for this long an actor can recognize bad medicine when it appears. You lady, I feel sorry for. You never got your chance to make it but hey at least you are on Wikipedia but who isnt?…. Since it smells like bull shit on your blog you might want to light some sage and sweet grass and try to find meaning in your life becides looking to others for contraversy that gets you the attention you so desperately need. All us Hollywood Skins who worked our asses off to get here feel sorry for you because you will never have a career that is both satisfying and financially viable to be a working actor. But hey, your a poor old lady like you say. Should expect it from a bitter old lady like you. Elders have class… You have none professor.
Sincerely and SERIOUSLY,
Consolidated Native Actors of Hollywood California
You will never make it as an actor. You have no future. You should give up. You dont have what it takes. Be a good dad because you will NEVER LET YOURSELF out of your own skin. You wont take risks which means you will never live your life to the fullest. Dont teach your kids this or they will go nowhere as well.
You have the right attitude. Kids wont see this commercial in western hemisphere unless someone shows it to them. It is a Swiss brand.
In the 70's whites and mexicans were playing Skins in movies. Now that real brothers are marketing to whites over seas you have a problem with it? Check yourself, thats my professional oppinion.
WE as Indigenous person did not have the power/control to dictate that sad reality of other races playing our parts — your professional stance is ill founded and just plainly sucks raunch….seriously???….”marketing to Whites over seas” is a professional justification? WOW
Dear Actor.
You have obviously been diminished by the roar of 'Hollywood', please go back to where you need to find your dignity — eventually, you will no longer be a poor sad actor who will take parts that reverses progress of Indigenous Identity in film. Your ancestors will be honored if you started to respect yourself again and didn't *sell yourself to your profession.
This bashing campaign is founded on complexity of thoughts, not on the impulses of needing to pay rent.
To those in support: Rock on!
OHHH I see I touched a nerve. And guess what? I 'am an actor, just because I'm not a house hold name don't mean I'm not an actor, I've been on plenty of MAIN STAGE shows and thats just to start. You really don't get it, and you really don't know me so don't ever toss my kids into the pile. I said LAZY writing and any artist if a TRUE artist would know this, I know I'm a good artist a good mentor to my peers a good father and DAMN it a DAMN good writer, I know I can blow the socks off a simple minded commercial like this one so before you even try put your two sense into it at someone you think you know try asses your honour. I'm not as upset at the actors as I am this production because i know what it's like however take a look at you and me, someone trys to say something about poor productions like this and a fellow brother bashes a fellow brother the same thing the white man has been doing to us for hundreds of years, your turning you back on people you shouldn't, pick your words a little more efficiently as opposed to attacking methods or trying to ridicule others. Besides being a film actor is NOT my first choice, I'm a filmmaker and have plenty of stories to tell, in fact I'm already being produced and….why the hell am i trying to justify myself, anyways I'm not mad at you or the actors I can understand it so just leave it as that.
This has somehow become an ego driven pile of crap for those who can't indentify with what's really happening here, I feel sorry that it has come to this when it should have stayed with the overall issue. Hollywood or not it's still unethical.
REMEMBER This is about our people and the battle to steer away from the stereotype of ALCOHOL!! Not about who you are and what you have done, like I said ego over honour. So far every person that has fought against boycotting this has ad has told us they are bigger and better than us using THEIR ego as fuel to fight their own brothers and sisters instead of the people that has oppressed us for gernerations. I'm not saying keep fighting I mean it's time already that we as society should learn to grow up. It's a long rocky road but someone somewhere someday will finish it. Dr_Ceyote_Wheeler cannot use his real name because he has said things that my 13 year old students say and I have never heard them from anyone who claims to be a grown up. “Don't hate the player, hate the game” well sir thanks for filling the void for our people, your so smart. Knowbody is bashing these individuals career path they are upset at the fact it has to be this way and the commercials should be taken off the air, if they will never be seen in this region then there is nothing to worry about. You got what you wanted, all the racist, underminded, uneducated, low status, poor excuse for human beings are well on there way in letting the world know that these are the best commercials and that indians like to drink anyway, the world of youtube has already moved away from it's original purpose much as facebook. It's not the creators fault, no its the underminded people that allow it to go on and on. So thanks for Allowing it to continue by your brilliant choice of words my brother, one day we will get along, I can't wait for that day.
It's not the commericals, it's the product itself. Calling a beer Indian is racist. Give me a Jew beer, a Tibetan beer…which would be ok if the product actually orginates from those people (Italian bread for example.)
Alcohol was a tool of destruction for our people, it was used intentionally against us. It's not got anything to do with us but bad. Naming products after us (that have nothing to do with us i.e. we make it) dehumanizes us, like using animal names for cars. We're no more than animals, without rights, if we keep our indigenous identity and values.
This has somehow become an ego driven pile of crap for those who can't indentify with what's really happening here, I feel sorry that it has come to this when it should have stayed with the overall issue. Hollywood or not it's still unethical.
REMEMBER This is about our people and the battle to steer away from the stereotype of ALCOHOL!! Not about who you are and what you have done, like I said ego over honour. So far every person that has fought against boycotting this has ad has told us they are bigger and better than us using THEIR ego as fuel to fight their own brothers and sisters instead of the people that has oppressed us for gernerations. I'm not saying keep fighting I mean it's time already that we as society should learn to grow up. It's a long rocky road but someone somewhere someday will finish it. Dr_Ceyote_Wheeler cannot use his real name because he has said things that my 13 year old students say and I have never heard them from anyone who claims to be a grown up. “Don't hate the player, hate the game” well sir thanks for filling the void for our people, your so smart. Knowbody is bashing these individuals career path they are upset at the fact it has to be this way and the commercials should be taken off the air, if they will never be seen in this region then there is nothing to worry about. You got what you wanted, all the racist, underminded, uneducated, low status, poor excuse for human beings are well on there way in letting the world know that these are the best commercials and that indians like to drink anyway, the world of youtube has already moved away from it's original purpose much as facebook. It's not the creators fault, no its the underminded people that allow it to go on and on. So thanks for Allowing it to continue by your brilliant choice of words my brother, one day we will get along, I can't wait for that day.
It's not the commericals, it's the product itself. Calling a beer Indian is racist. Give me a Jew beer, a Tibetan beer…which would be ok if the product actually orginates from those people (Italian bread for example.)
Alcohol was a tool of destruction for our people, it was used intentionally against us. It's not got anything to do with us but bad. Naming products after us (that have nothing to do with us i.e. we make it) dehumanizes us, like using animal names for cars. Essentially what they're saying is that we're no more than animals, without rights, if we keep our indigenous identity and values.