Last Updated: March 13, 2023, 09:01 IST
Chechen social employee Ahmad and Viennese police officer Uwe. (Credits: AFP)
Middle-aged Austrian police officer Uwe and hip younger Chechen social employee Ahmad might appear like an unlikely duo, however their TikTookay movies have grow to be an enormous hit in Austria.
Middle-aged Austrian police officer Uwe and hip younger Chechen social employee Ahmad might appear like an unlikely duo, however their TikTookay movies have grow to be an enormous hit in Austria. For years the Vienna police have been mulling over methods to achieve out to town’s giant group of Chechen exiles to interrupt down stereotypes on either side and enhance dialogue. Young Chechens really feel focused by the police, and say they’re unfairly related to crime and spiritual extremism within the media.
It didn’t assist that in 2021 Austrian law enforcement officials have been convicted of beating a Chechen after being caught on safety cameras.
It was at a gathering final 12 months between police and Chechens to debate methods ahead, that Ahmad recommended doing Q&A-style video clips about Austrian legal guidelines and guidelines and rules.
“I had loads of issues with the police,” stated the 23-year-old, who left the troubled Caucasus republic as a small baby.
“But I had no one I could ask what I was allowed to do and what I wasn’t — or even where I could get legal advice.
“When I went to the police station to ask something, I was often insulted by the officers,” he informed AFP.
Listening to him that day on the assembly was Uwe, the 59-year-old neighbourhood police officer who would grow to be the opposite half of their double act.
People need selfies with me
Since November, the duo dubbed “Cop and Che”, have been shooting short clips addressing a wide variety of issues from drugs to “What happens if I don’t have my papers?” or “What am I risking by doing graffiti?”
But it was their video on the legalities of using firecrackers at New Year that literally rocketed them to success.
So far, their videos, filmed with a mobile phone at a shopping mall in Vienna, have been viewed over 2.6 million times — a huge audience in a country of nine million people.
Even teachers use the clips — which often tap into humour to get their point across — in schools.
“For us, maintaining a dialogue is one of the most important things” in relation to integration, stated Uwe.
The grey-haired police officer usually enlists Ahmad’s assist to decipher the expressions and emojis utilized by youngsters of their feedback beneath their movies.
For the mission to take off, “the police needed to agree to listen to our criticism in order that we might work on a foundation of mutual belief,” said Ahmad.
To build bridges, especially with young Chechens, the police initially proposed football matches and chess games.
“If you want to reach out to young people, that’s not going to work,” stated Ahmad.
Yet, neither “Cop” nor “Che” might have guessed that the movies would tackle a lifetime of their very own, reaching not solely Austria’s 35,000 Chechens but in addition different children who would by no means dare to ask police questions in actual life.
“Young folks recognise me and wish to take selfies with me,” said Uwe, who has never tasted fame before in his 40-year career.
Ahmad, however, has been feeling the downside of their success as well as the good, with some accusing him of siding with the police.
“But I don’t care, I do what I want,” he stated.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
