domestic violence advert, starring Keira Knightley, has been branded “too shocking” by advertising censors. The British actress did the public service advertisement titled Cut, for Women's Aid, an anti-domestic violence group. News agency ANI reported that censor bosses are now refusing to allow the ad to be broadcast on TV unless key scenes are cut. The gripping ad shows Knightley leaving a movie set and arriving home late to a violent partner. He beats her, pulling her up by the hair and kicking her in the stomach. The camera then pans out to show she's still on a movie set and the words “isn't it time someone called cut” are shown on screen. She can be heard screaming in the background. Charities working to combat domestic violence branded the decision by Clearcast, the ad approval body “pathetic”. “It seems pathetic. It is really important to raise awareness about domestic violence, and TV gets into people's homes,” The Independent quoted Sandra Horely, chief executive of Refuge, a charity organization. It was being hoped that the ad would air on TV this month, but it will now only be seen on British television if scenes showing Knightley being thrown to the floor and kicked are axed. “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.
