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Spain's 'become a foreigner' ad goes viral

Alex Dunham
Alex Dunham - [email protected]
Spain's 'become a foreigner' ad goes viral
The ad has touched a nerve with those who see it as advertising guff that discourages Spaniards from changing their ways at a time when the country seems to be lagging behind.Photo: YouTube

A well-known Spanish food company has launched an advertising campaign which features a flurry of Spanish celebrities changing their nationality. The viral video has been met with mixed reactions.

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"If I become foreign, will it affect my character?" asks the protagonist as she ponders whether to go Swedish.

Chus Lampreave, famous for her roles in numerous Almodóvar films, talks the audience through her decision to ditch her Spanish nationality as she greets other celebrities who are doing the same.

"All the studies say so, we're at the bottom of all the tables for almost everything," the elderly actress explains.

"It's got to be very cool to belong to a superpower and be able to say we’re part of the G8."

As she walks through the Christmas market with different nationalities on sale, doubts start to arise among the 'shoppers'.

"Make sure you keep personal space at all times," says the hostess at the Norwegian stall.

 "Now I'll know what it feels like for everyone to owe me money and not the other way round," sulks actor Enrique San Francisco as he's handed his German nationality.

Meanwhile, a crowd shouts: "We wanted to celebrate our new nationalities but they've kicked us out of the bar".

"Apparently we should be in bed by now."

The ad by Campofrío, a Spanish company which specializes in cold meats, then depicts a stereotypical Spanish dinner table scene with everyone sharing food, drinks and laughs.

As the camera pans out, a message comes up on screen:

"It doesn't matter where we’re from or where we are, the important thing is that no one should deprive us of our way of enjoying life."

In less than 24 hours the ad has had nearly 200,000 visitors on YouTube, none of whom seem to have been left indifferent.

It’s injected a dose of pride into the hearts of those who feel grateful for being Spanish; for the fun-loving, touchy-feely and sociable nature of Spaniards.

"What a great ad, I can't stop crying!"

It’s also touched a nerve with those who see it as advertising guff that discourages Spaniards from changing their ways at a time when the country seems to be lagging behind. 

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