Surreal
Three days ago the Independent‘s Rachel Shields ran a story about an anti-domestic violence TV spot with Keira Knightley, called The Cut, being banned from TV by Clearcast, an ad-approval org, unless footage is trimmed. The ad began appearing in British cinemas about three weeks ago.
It’s a riveting spot in the way it makes you feel the horror of physical assault. It’s especially noteworthy for a moment just after Knightley has been slapped by her brute boyfriend in which she breaks character and complains to the off-screen director that the slap “isn’t in the script,” or words to that effect.
“Charities working to combat domestic violence branded Clearcast’s decision as ‘pathetic,”" wrote Shields, “arguing that, in banning the advert, it is shielding the public from the reality of domestic violence.” The Cut was made for Women’s Aid, a charity group.
It’s kinda funny (not funny ha ha, but funny strange) that in America, violence is okay and sex is taboo, but in Britian, it seems to be the opposite.
I disagree however, that the breaking the fourth wall is noteworthy in any way.
Directed by the venerable Sir Charles Kaufman.
Yep… EdHavens, you got that right. you can blow up people, cut their heads off, kick their teeth in, and the film gets a R rating, but a film with a sensible sex scene between two lovers gets slapped with NC-17… oh the irony!
That’s true, though about the reverse opposite in Europe. I recall that the posters for WANTED were censored in the UK because of their anti-gun laws, but you can easily see women’s naked boobs on front covers of trashy tabloids on newstands while strolling by outside on the street.
Americans are almost as scared of sex as they are of insects crawling up lavatory bowels into their rectums. Somebody could make a killing making THAT movie for Halloween.
Imogen – did you see DREAMCATCHER? The aliens in it were called “shit-weasels” for that very reason.
I find that what freaks my English relatives out the most is any kind of S&M suggestion — the notion of sex ever being associated with anything violent, even in fiction.
I think most civlized company would also be “freaked” LYT. S&M is hardly a cool subject for the dinner table here in Spain. It is neurotic behavior best enjoyed behind closed doors, like Sebbuteo.
KEIRA = HOTTEST WOMAN EEEEEEEVER.
Sex vs. violence: Eh, lot of people make the above arguments about American prudishness (which is very, very real).
But in the end, I think 99.999% of people realize cinematic violence and blood and gore is fake. Some grinding naked asses on a 50-foot screen are not, even if the actual actions are simulated, and thus, because sex is a personal act, it tends to make people, at least Americans, a little uncomfortable, especially when watched in public.
It’s sort of ridiculous and people who titter at nudity and sex in theaters are a special kind of asshole, but violence and crime are at the root of many classic tales, because of the conflict they inherently provide. They’re fairly common and just an accepted aspect of even the most straightforward storytelling, which is for better or worse what most film audiences or TV viewers expect to see. Seeing some flopping tits and grunting and moaning tends to embarrass them when watched in a straight narrative context.
I’m not saying I agree with it, but it’s completely understandable. Especially given how religious America is. You really don’t understand how simulated, cartoon violence is less uncomfortable for corn-fed Americans to watch than an erect schlong in prime time?
Lex actually makes some valid points there. For once.
That’s hot!
it was nicked from the Baby of Macon
Americans like sex. They just want to be alone when they are watching it, that’s all. They want to be alone so they can touch themselves. Being in a crowded cineplex and getting a hard on makes me anxious.
Lisa is right on! This is pure theft from Baby of Macon. And the technique was much more powerful in that film.
May I say something along the lines of “you guys are pigs”? Or at least managing a good imitation of same? The ad’s about domestic violence against women, and an attempt to censor an ad about the horrors of same from a women’s POV, and all you care to talk about….aahh, forget it. You’re quite a bunch. Like the characters in Porky’s or Weekend at Bernie’s.
Is Wells lecturing us? Really??
That beginning part makes you think her guy was murdered.
This small glimpse into the madness of the D.Z. movie-watching aesthetic was brought to you by Popeye’s Chicken.
Seriously guys….natalie portman is doing something for a good cause and all you can concentrate on is a semi-intelligent discussion about american prudishness? scoundrels!
Jeff, It’s a good spot. What more is there to say? With the amount of misogyny that gets tossed around HE on daily basis, how is anyone to know that this was your earnest invitation to analyze and ponder the the confounding tolerance of physical and mental domestic violence?
I was shocked, actually, to read your entire assessment and not find any nit-picky comments about her bangs, or the lighting, or the stutter-step before the last kick.
Natalie Portman?
…can one of the HE faithful help citizenkaned out?
(ok, nevermind …. http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/2008/06/twofer.php )
Yep… EdHavens, you got that right. you can blow up people, cut their heads off, kick their teeth in, and the film gets a R rating, but a film with a sensible sex scene between two lovers gets slapped with NC-17… oh the irony!
That’s true, though about the reverse opposite in Europe. I recall that the posters for WANTED were censored in the UK because of their anti-gun laws, but you can easily see women’s naked boobs on front covers of trashy tabloids on newstands while strolling by outside on the street.
It’s the only anti-domestic violence ad that I’ve ever seen that has some degree of reality and provokes a visceral reaction of sorts.
And it’s been banned.
And Wells,McCool is dead right.I’m stunned you posted this without comment.
Ahhh, okay, I see.
‘Twas a deep HE reference, I applaud thee.
(Just figured it was a mistake…or a very outdated Phantom Menace joke)
On Knightley, that is.
There’s a quite substantial comment there, I do realize.Barely. I’m running on litres of caffeine alone at the moment.
Imogen – did you see DREAMCATCHER? The aliens in it were called “shit-weasels” for that very reason.
I find that what freaks my English relatives out the most is any kind of S&M suggestion — the notion of sex ever being associated with anything violent, even in fiction.
This ad has attracted quite a lot of criticism here in the Uk from Women’s refuge groups etc for using glamorous stars – they argue it makes women who really are abused feel distanced from their own experience, as they just can’t relate to anyone doing this to someone like Keira Knightley. Not saying I agree with that, but it has attracted that debate. And for the record, Brits are still pretty screwed up about sex. It’s changing slowly, but it’s still only really okay in a nudge nudge wink wink kind of way – the big knockers on page three kind of crudity – but a proper grown up way of handling it? Nah. And I kind of think that attitudes towards sex are relevant to a discussion about domestic violence. “cause it’s also about how much intrinsic mutual respect there is in male/female relationships. Men who are brought up to see women largely as sex objects are more likely to beat them around too. It’s about seeing someone as a thing, an object to vent yourself on.
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