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Netflix Brazil dribbles FIFA with a word game

01 Jun 2014

In Portuguese, the word “copa” isn’t just a reference to the FIFA World Cup, or any generic cup. It is also often used to designate a pantry, or a small dining room inside a kitchen - some people even use the term interchangeably with “cozinha”, the word for “kitchen”.

Netflix Brazil used this in a smart commercial that dribbles FIFA’s Orwellian (and borderline unconstitutional) countrywide media ban on expressions (which includes things like “Christmas 2014”). The spot showcases the freedom of not watching any important soccer match (a non-trivial luxury in Brazil, trust me) by playing entirely as a double entendre. Here is a rough translation:

Guy: “You know what? I’m gonna watch Netflix on the [copa].” (grabs a tablet)

Girl: “Oh, you and this [copa], [copa], ewww.”

Guy 2: “Yeah, why not on the living room?”

Guy 3: “…or the office, the bedroom, the porch…”

Guy (walking to the “copa”): “I watch Netflix WHEREVER I WANT. And I want it ON THE [copa].”

Guy 2: “So I can watch movies… on the [copa]?”

Guy 3: “…pausing and returning on the [copa]?”

Guy 4: “Watch exclusive series… on the [copa]?”

Guy: “See? Netflix changes everything!”

Narrator: “Netflix on the [copa]? Why not? Movies and series for you to watch whenever and however you want. Subscribe now.”

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