Viva le difference!

While US government support of the arts frequently gets bogged down in controversies over the depiction of sexuality and anything bordering on controversial, the European Union is sexing up YouTube to showcase its support for EU cinema:

The European Commission’s Let’s Come Together promotion is intended to highlight the organization’s role in the production of hundreds of European films.

The organization’s MEDIA program plans to route ‚Ǩ755 million into European films in order to enhance and preserve European diversity. The program also plans to support the development of digital film options.

The steamy video has another purpose – to intruduce YouTube viewers to EUTube, the EU’s dedicated channel on YouTube. It may be an effective strategy; the video has already racked up a quarter of a million views.

“This initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to better explain its policies and actions on issues which concern citizens across the EU ‚Äì such as climate change, energy or immigration” said Margot Wallstr√∂m, Vice-President for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy.

Some lawmakers were not taken with the EU’s approach.

“I suppose this film is appropriate,” said UK politician Godfrey Bloom. “The EU has been screwing Britain for the past 30 years.”

via BBC News