Russia 'Demon Squirrel' Stars In New Anti-Alcoholism Campaign (VIDEO)

A new Russian campaign targeting alcoholism and drunk driving has sparked controversy by featuring an unconventional new anti-hero: an animated squirrel who rants, sings and tries to climb the walls.

Though he may seem cute and cuddly, the furry star of the new ad couldn't be further from his Walt Disney predecessors. According to the Telegraph, the "demon squirrel" has bloodshot eyes and a haggard-looking tail, and complains of the shakes before offering to kill his neighbor's wife.

"Are you on the booze yourself?" the squirrel asks at the end, according to the BBC. "I'll be seeing you."

As the Telegraph reports, casting a squirrel in the new campaign was an ingenious move on the ad's creators. In Russian slang, delirium tremens -- the moment of inebriation when people start to get the shakes and to hallucinate -- is known as belochka or "a little squirrel." The clip has become an Internet smash, drawing more than 1 million views.

Watch video of Russia's "Demon Squirrel," via the Telegraph, here:

Comments

[thomas meno]

06:00 AM on 12/05/2010

I never understand how Russia is always seen as the alcoholic capital of the world when according to data by the World Heath and other health NGO they are 20th in the world in consumption of alcohol and way behind U.K and Luxembourg at the top.
http://apps.who.int/whosis/database/core/core_select_process.cfm?strISO3_select=ALL&strIndicator_select=AlcoholConsumption&intYear_select=latest&language=english# Unless they bodies are not good for alcohol like the Native Americans?

Also the percentage will go down as many communities and patriotic groups are banning it completely like the Cossacks.

[SiberianRat]

03:28 PM on 12/05/2010

"Unless they bodies are not good for alcohol like the Native Americans?"

Many Asian groups (Yakut, Buryat, Khakass, Altai, etc.) which are native to Siberian and Far Eastern Russia have the same problem. For some groups, like the Tuvan, it's at epidemic levels.

[LMPE]

08:49 PM on 12/04/2010

a demon squirrel

I smell a lawsuit from Carly Fiorina (b/c of the demon sheep)

[Matthew Gross]

12:14 AM on 12/05/2010

You are so awsome!!!

[Blackorpheus]

02:08 PM on 12/04/2010

Let the demon squirrel drink better vodka and he'll become a sanctified squirrel. Trust me.

[Callah]

01:50 PM on 12/04/2010

Oh MY VARIOUS GODS AND GODDESSES!
ROTGLMAO! I think "Squirrel ate too many magic mushrooms"....

[turboturd]

04:46 AM on 12/04/2010

ooga booga inga loopey doopa soupa. Engrish prease.

[Talossa]

11:18 PM on 12/03/2010

I guess Communism didn't cause alcoholism after all.

[Rude Monk]

09:19 PM on 12/03/2010

Looks like the little squirrel got hold of some meth.Then it mixed that with alcohol.

[wyb]

05:33 PM on 12/03/2010

Anyone, who can't identify with that squirrel has never lived in a dorm on Friday nights.

[MohammedAbbasi]

05:01 PM on 12/03/2010

Looks like the Squirrel escaped Sarah Palin and the Tea Party....

[FTracy3]

04:17 PM on 12/03/2010

Demon squirrel? Looks like the Russians are finally getting us back for Rocky and Bullwinkle. Boris: "Natasha, where is moose and demon squirrel with top secret vodka?"

[whataruckus2]

04:02 PM on 12/03/2010

Kind of reminds me of Glenn Beck. The only thing missing is the blackboard on the wall.

[collettethehedgehog]

04:25 PM on 12/03/2010

Good catch! Fanned.

[Rude Monk]

09:43 PM on 12/03/2010

You forgot the glasses.

[Staxx]

03:44 PM on 12/03/2010

"has sparked controversy"?

[SiberianRat]

03:36 PM on 12/03/2010

If it helps, great! Russia has a SEVERE problem with alcoholism.

[Greg Mirsky]

05:21 PM on 12/03/2010

Squirrels are rats, always hungry, jelaous. Nothing cuddly or cute. Even the ones in Kadriorg. The right way - bej ee v glaz.

[Demidan]

08:12 PM on 12/04/2010

I disagree my family had a pet squirrel for years, sweet gentle and who poop on my overly uptight grand father's head every once in a while.

[BcemXAHA]

02:41 PM on 12/06/2010

HAHAHAH Chisti klass!

[repugnicansfearme]

02:58 PM on 12/03/2010

You would have to be drunk to like that. It will promote more drinking.

[WorkhelpWorkhelp]

01:17 AM on 12/04/2010

?

uh, no it doesn't.