This anti-domestic violence ad starring Keira Knightley and directed by Atonement’s Joe Wright has been banned in the U.K., for fairly obvious reasons.
Advertising censors are refusing to allow it to be broadcast unless key scenes are cut.
“The Cut” was made for the charity Women’s Aid, and launched in cinemas at the beginning of this month.
Charities working to combat domestic violence branded the decision by Clearcast, the ad approval body, “pathetic”, arguing that, in banning the advert, it is shielding the public from the reality of domestic violence.
“It seems pathetic. It is really important to raise awareness about domestic violence, and TV gets into people’s homes” said Sandra Horely, chief executive of Refuge, a charity that provides accommodation for women and children escaping from domestic violence.
“The reason we are still in conversation with Clearcast about it is because they believe it is too violent,” said Chris Hirst, managing director of Grey London Advertising Agency, which created The Cut. “Part of the point of the campaign is to raise awareness about domestic violence, and spark debate, which the advert has done, even if it doesn’t make it on to TV.” [Independent]
Whatever, you can spout your “just raisin’ awareness” cliché if you want, but all ads like this do is convince me that the the people who make them are creepy and weird. It’s like filming a guy who rapes a baby and poops on his dog, and then at the end an announcer comes on and says “don’t rape a baby and poop on your dog.” Really? That was your solution? Look, if you want money for your charity, just film Sarah McLachlan singing to a sad puppy, you can have everything in my wallet.








I know how you’ve all been waiting for this moment, so I won’t keep you in suspense. The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley as the Duchess of Devonshire, finally has a poster! It opens September 19th and I can’t wait to see it. Me and my bros are gonna go check it out after we mix up some jungle juice for the Alpha Phi party (More like the all-for-free party, am I right? Someone give me a fist bump!). Oh man, it’s gonna be so sick.