Unicef bombs the Smurfs in fund-raising campaign for ex-child soldiers
October 19, 2005
The people of Belgium have been left reeling by the first adult-only episode of the Smurfs, in which the blue-skinned cartoon characters’ village is annihilated by warplanes.
The short but chilling film is the work of Unicef, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and is to be broadcast on national television next week as a campaign advertisement.
The animation was approved by the family of the Smurfs’ late creator, “Peyo”.
Belgian television viewers were given a preview of the 25-second film earlier this week, when it was shown on the main evening news. The reactions ranged from approval to shock and, in the case of small children who saw the episode by accident, wailing terror.
Poor smurfs, I suppose they hadn’t enough time to ysanfero be 7ayatehem (somebody translates this to English please)
It is ironically funny and strangely shocking indeed to watch such a thing. It’s sad we have reached to the level when we ruin the image of famous cartoon characters we associate with our worries-free, happy childhood.
Good to see Unicef putting people’s generous donations to good use.
Comment by Crouton — October 20, 2005 @ 5:25 AM