Slovakia Outraged by 'Hostel' (CLUELESS IN HOLLYWOOD ALERT)

IMDB/WENN ^ | Feb 28 2006

[RightWingAtheist]

Government officials in Slovakia have expressed their concern that new backpacker horror movie Hostel makes their country appear dangerous. The Eli Roth-directed movie, which shows three travelers heading to a Slovakian city and falling prey to a brutal torture ring, has caused outrage among the country's politicians, who feel it will tarnish their nation's reputation. Member of Parliament Tomas Galbavy says, "I am offended by this film. I think that all Slovaks should feel offended." Galbavy called Hostel, which was shot in the neighboring Czech Republic, "a monstrosity that does not at all reflect reality" and added it would "damage the good reputation of Slovakia." Slovak culture minister Linda Heldichova adds, "We are unanimous in saying that this film damages the image of our country." But director Roth insists his aim in making the film was not to offend Slovakians but to highlight the ignorance of US cinema-goers. He says, "Americans do not even know that this country exists. My film is not a geographical work but aims to show Americans' ignorance of the world around them."

[RightWingAtheist]

Keep repeating to yourself...

It's Only a Movie

It's Only a Movie

It's Only a Movie

It's Only a Movie

Not a Moorlock crockumentary :D

(Hmmm...I think I just coined a new word for crank documentary filmmakers..."Moorlocks"! Will H.G. Wells' estate complain?

[detsaoT]

as if your five different commentary tracks on Cabin Fever didn't already create that impression

HA! That train-wreck of a movie ALONE was enough to convince me that Eli was a complete twit! You actually needed the commentary tracks to confirm it? ;)

[RightWingAtheist]

The movie proved that Eli was a twit. The commentary tracks proved he was an EGOMANICAL twit :D

[Junior_G]

Cabin Fever was annoying. It immediately came across as the work of somebody who thinks he is much more intelligent than he actually is.

[detsaoT]

ROFL! Thanks for clearing that up!! :)

[detsaoT]

Cabin Fever was annoying. It immediately came across as the work of somebody who thinks he is much more intelligent than he actually is.

To me, it came across as a movie made by someone who's never stepped foot outside of a metropolitan area in his entire life. ;)

[NYCynic]

I was deeply disturbed by the large number of people who paid to see this trash.

[AlexW]

"Slovakia happens to have Europe's largest Gypsy population."

No, there are Gypsies in the East of the country, but Romania has many more then Slovakia could dream of.

[AlexW]

"Slovakia is a country?"

Yes, it is a very nice country and the most productive of the new EU entrants.
Bush was here, just one year ago. I stood in the snow to listen to him. It was a great day.

Slovakia is also probably the most religious country in Europe, outside of maybe Italy or Spain.

[gondramB]

Very interesting..thank you.

[AlexW]

"I'm hoping to visit this village of Bojnice"

It is a nice town and the castle is nice.
It is the only French style castle in Slovakia.
The owner was trying to entice his French lady to come live with him, so he spent 10 years or more, and a lot of money, converting the castle to a French look.
After many years, and a fortune, he did not get the girl, and died while still converting the castle.

[AlexW]

"I can see the point of their anger, but you have to set a film somewhere."

The stupid kid movie, EUROTRIP, also took a slam at Slovakia.

I think it is just the name "Slovakia" that causes idiots that do not know geography, to make it a punching bag.

Slovakia is the Geographical center of Europe.

[AlexW]

"Hostel makes their country appear dangerous."

I feel safer walking through the center of Bratislava at 1 AM in the morning, then I feel while driving a car through
many parts of Memphis in full daylight.

[Bon mots]

No, there are Gypsies in the East of the country, but Romania has many more then Slovakia could dream of.

You are right. In strict numbers, Romania has the largest number of Roma, however as a percentage of population, Slovakia has the most (unless you count the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia).

In terms of percentage of total population, Slovakia and Bulgaria have among the highest concentration of Roma, with 9.75 percent and eight percent, respectively (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Average Roma Populations in Selected Countries and Their Percentage Ratio to Total Population (2000)

World Bank Map of Roma Populations

Wikipedia Information on Roma People

[Starter]

Sigh. Slovakia? The film "Eurotrip" shows that you can live like a king in Slovakia for less than $1.83. And "Independence Day" shows that a computer virus can not only cross OSs, but also interstellar hardware differences. Hollywood's not known for its authenticity.

[Bon mots]

Bratislava is a great town! It also seems to have the highest concentration of beautiful women in Europe.

How is the skiing in Stary Smokovec and Tatranska Lomnica this year?

I had too much work to do and couldn't make it this year. :-(
I know that they were hit with a terrible tornado just before ski season at the end of 2005.

I usually take a little side trip to Poprad too. :-)

Viva Slovakia!

[AlexW]

"How is the skiing in Stary Smokovec and Tatranska Lomnica this year? "

I do not ski, but the past few weeks has been the big season for winter holiday and skiing.
Ski resorts here get bigger and better each year.

As for gypsies, you stated that Slovakia had the most gypsies, not the highest percentage.
I have not been in the far east of Slovakia, where the largest gypsy population reside, but I do not see so many here in Bratislava.
Remember, Slovakia has only about 5.5 million people.

Statistics do not mean much, but here is one that I found interesting.
Even four years ago, with a population of about 5.5 million people, there were over 3 million mobile (cell) phones.
I do not know what it is today, but you rarely see anyone over 7 years old that does not have one.

[Betis70]

Those Slovaks play good hockey too.

"Gaborik flys through the neutral zone, a drop pass for Hossa, back to Visnovsky on the point ... shoots, rebound, Gaborik scores!"

:)

[goldstategop]

Shush - its just Hollywood. Who cares about Dead European White Males? Hey Slovaks, get over it!

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[antceecee]

"But director Roth insists his aim in making the film was not to offend Slovakians but to highlight the ignorance of US cinema-goers. He says, "Americans do not even know that this country exists. My film is not a geographical work but aims to show Americans' ignorance of the world around them." "

So, he wants to assure Slovakians that he was not trying to offend them, only point out how stupid Americans are???

Just so long as he was offending Americans instead of Slovakians, I guess that makes it okay.