Another kick in the teeth for women facing domestic violence

Clearcast, the organisation responsible for screening ads for TV, have banned a hard-hitting (pun intended) anti-domestic violence advert – for being violent.

Made for the charity Women’s Aid, the film has already been widely screened, appearing across UK cinemas in 2005.  Starring Keira Knightley, and created by her director in ‘Atonement’, Joe Wright, the film depicts Keira as an actress suspected of cheating by her partner, who then savagely beats her.  Campaigners have branded the decision to ban the film on the grounds of offending public sensibilities ‘pathetic’.

If you are one of the squeamish little bunnykins who don’t want to know about howibble naughty men who bash women (who are pwobably asking for it anyway) and you are glad the nice censors pwotect us from weality, go can go back to staring at fluffy clouds now. For grown-ups, watch the version posted on youtube below.
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On a similar theme, I had a good laugh at a letter to the Sunday Times Culture supplement, where an angry Middle Englishman was berating the foul language in The Wire.  Dramatizations like The Wire remain convincing and riveting entertainment because of their unflinching honesty.  In the context of a multi-layered contemporary drama exploring the ambiguous characters interacting at the point where law and crime collide, watering it all down by censoring the language and toning down the violence would totally defeat the purpose.  If you prefer inoffensive escapism, fuck off to your local charity shop and dig out a Dixon of Dock Green video.