Katerina Moutsatsos says she's a Hellene, not a Greek.
“I am Hellene” – I am Greek – That’s the title of a YouTube video that has gone viral today.
With this video, Katerina Moutsatsos, an international actress and executive producer, with a small role in “The Hangover“, Turkish soap operas and a series of promotional videos for the Greek ministry of tourism and culture, attempts to disperse the stereotypes about Greece.
Katerina Moutsatsos (Moutsatsou in Greek) attempts to somehow declare that the name “Greek” is wrong, and that the local name of “Hellene” – or Ellin, simplified – should be used for Greeks, who refer to themselves as Ellines.
Despite the well-meant intentions of the beautiful, American-born actress and Los Angeles resident, her video was received with mixed emotions by the Greeks.
For starters, the concept was copied rather faithfully from a Canadian beer ad; despite that, it’s well-adapted to suit the purpose of attacking various Greek stereotypes.
Unfortunately, during bad economic times and with pending elections in Greece, the move is perceived by some to be of unnecessary nationalist overtones; some comments left on the video talk of “opportunistic move to up her career“, citing “faux Greek pride” and criticizing the actor’s roles in Turkish soap operas – still a taboo for many Greeks, due to a long-standing animosity between the two neighbor countries.
Meanwhile, someone registered IAmHellene.com and the domain is currently being pointed to the video by Katerina Moutsatsos.
